New York would add Times Square to the list of “sensitive places” where guns will be banned under a bill that lawmakers will pass Friday in response to the Supreme Court’s recent hidden transportation decision.
Gov. Kathy Hochul formally introduced the bill around 3 a.m. Friday, and lawmakers will pass it later.
Last week, Hochul convened the Legislature in Albany on Thursday for a special session, in which measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the court ruling last week were expected, which facilitated the obtaining of a permission to legally bring a firearm to the public.
But things did not go as planned: Hochul and the legislative leaders spent much of the day haggling over the details. At 1 a.m., the state Senate left him, the Assembly followed suit and agreed to give him again on Friday.
Less than two hours later, Hochul formally introduced the Hidden Transportation Improvement Act, indicating that an agreement had been reached. Among other things, it would create a long list of places where firearms are banned, such as public transportation, educational institutions, street fairs and “the area commonly known as Times Square,” according to the bill.
“It is crucial for the recovery of our local economy, including Broadway, that Times Square is a gun-free zone and that its 50 million annual visitors feel protected from the dangers of gun violence,” he said. Senator Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat whose. The district includes Times Square.
The bill would also alter state authorization laws to require at least 16 hours of training for concealed transportation applicants, while making it clear that an applicant could be denied if they have been charged with ‘aggression, threat or similar crimes. The legislation would also require the permit holder to re-certify every three years, instead of five years, and to hand over the names of their social media accounts as part of a background check.
It would also be an offense to bring a firearm to private property unless the owner has explicitly allowed it. For business owners, this means that hidden transportation signage is allowed to be hung on the property.
Also during the night, Hochul took the formal step of joining the Legislature’s agenda for the special session, issuing a proclamation that opens the door for lawmakers to begin the process of enshrining the right to abortion. to the state constitution.
Democratic lawmakers had tried to pass a measure known as the Equality Amendment in early June before ending its annual session at the Capitol. If approved by voters, it would have created more protections against discrimination based on things like sex, gender identity, and pregnancy outcomes.
Talks about the amendment stalled and lawmakers left Albany without accepting it. But they revived negotiations after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last week and finally finalized an overnight deal.
The agreed amendment would make it clear that you cannot discriminate against someone on the basis of race, national origin, age, disability, or sex, by adding existing protections based on race, color, or creed.
The amendment makes it clear that it would apply to “pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care and autonomy,” a language intended to cover abortion and contraception.
If lawmakers approved it this year and next, the constitutional measure will be presented to voters for final approval next year.
In a statement at 2:36 a.m., Hochul suggested an agreement on the issue was within reach. The final language was made public at 9 p.m.
“We will enact legislation to strengthen our hidden transportation weapons laws and, building on our nationwide leading protections for abortion patients and providers, New York State will take an unprecedented step to enshrine the right fundamental to access to abortion in our state constitution, ”he added. she said.
The Senate returned to the session around 11:30 a.m. Friday, quickly approving the abortion-related amendment by a vote of 49 to 14 before beginning the debate on the gun bill. The Assembly is expected to vote both Friday later.
Hochul and Democratic leaders say they have tried to draft the covert transportation bill in a way that resists additional judicial scrutiny, though gun rights groups are sure to defy some or all of the restrictions. On Wednesday, Hochul said she is willing to “get on the line” of constitutionality but not cross it.
Republicans have indicated they intend to oppose the measure, and Senate minority leader Rob Ortt suggested the state should do more to crack down on those who obtain firearms illegally. .
“New York already has the strictest gun laws in the country,” he tweeted Thursday. “I will not accept the passage of more laws that do not address the source of the problem as the only solution.”
In his written opinion, Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas acknowledged that states can ban weapons in “sensitive places” such as government buildings and schools. But the list of sensitive sites in New York’s new gun bill seems to have an expansive view.
Weapons would be banned from zoos, libraries, playgrounds, daycares and health centers. They would also be banned in shelters for the homeless, bars and a wide range of performance venues, such as theaters, stadiums, racecourses, museums, amusement parks, casinos and any concert.
When asked Wednesday if there were public places where he would still be allowed to carry a firearm, Hochul said, “Probably some streets.”
Once signed, the Hidden Transportation Improvement Act would go into effect on September 1st.
This story has been updated to reflect the most recent vote and additional comment.