In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that New York’s century-old public carry licensing law was unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. In the 6-3 ruling, also called the Bruen decision, the court held that the Second Amendment protects the right to carry a loaded handgun in public for self-defense. The court also ruled that New York’s law requiring residents to demonstrate proper cause to obtain a concealed carry license violated the Second Amendment.
The Court’s decision created a new framework for regulating firearms. Bruen has led to a number of challenges to firearm laws across the U.S. and raised questions about what gun regulations federal, state and local governments can use.