A federal appeals court has upheld the majority of New York’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA), marking a significant victory for state officials in their ongoing efforts to maintain strict gun regulations.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit’s decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court requested a review of the court’s previous ruling in May 2024. The ruling maintains most of the law’s key provisions, including requirements for concealed carry permits and restrictions on where firearms can be carried.
“This decision is another victory in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “After repeated attempts to weaken our gun safety regulations, once again we have prevailed.”
The court upheld several crucial components of the CCIA, including:
- The requirement to demonstrate good moral character
- Mandatory disclosure of household and family members on permit applications
- Bans on concealed carry in sensitive locations, with the exception of places of worship
- Requirements for in-person interviews, character references, and 16 hours of training
The decision also affirms the right of private property owners, including religious institutions, to prohibit firearms on their premises through signage.
The CCIA was enacted in September 2022 following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The law was designed to strengthen concealed carry permit requirements while complying with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Attorney General James emphasized her office’s commitment to defending the state’s gun safety measures, stating she “will use all the tools at my disposal to help remove dangerous weapons from New York communities and to keep our state’s residents safe.”