New York Democratic governor signs law limiting concealed carry of firearms in wake of Supreme Court ruling
(CNN)New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed into law a bill restricting the concealed carry of firearms in locations such as government buildings and schools after the US Supreme Court last week struck down the state's century-old law that placed restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home.
Hochul, who called the legislature into an extraordinary session Thursday to address the issue, announced that she had swiftly signed the bill after passage.
"I just signed a new law to keep New Yorkers safe -- even in the face of a monumental setback from the Supreme Court," she said in a tweet that thanked lawmakers for their "quick work and collaboration to pass these critical gun safety reforms."
Lawmakers hammered out the final bill text on Thursday and brought the bill for a vote on Friday after some debate -- drawing criticism from Republicans over the short turnaround. The state Senate passed the bill 43-20 Friday in a party-line vote, and the state Assembly passed the legislation Friday evening 91-51.
The new law lays out a strict licensing process to obtain a concealed-carry permit and a list of locations deemed "sensitive" -- including Times Square -- where firearm possession will be illegal, according to the legislative text. Other areas defined as sensitive include government-owned buildings, schools, health care facilities, places of worship, and public transportation. People who carry a gun in a prohibited location could be charged with a felony under the law.