The Governor of California He called Thursday’s US Supreme Court ruling “shameful” that could dramatically impact half a dozen states that strictly regulate the carrying of guns.
The leader of the Democratic Party, Gavin Newsom, who governs one of the states with the strictest laws against guns and the most populous in the country, said that the decision of the conservative court marks “a dark day” in the United States.
“This is a dangerous decision by a court hell-bent on pushing an ideological agenda and infringing on states’ rights to protect our citizens from being shot at in our streets, schools and churches. It’s a disgrace.”
The decision, with six votes against three, of the highest court in the United States struck down a New York law that required a person to prove they actually had “due cause” or a need for self-defense to carry a gun in public.
Dozens of states allow almost unrestricted carrying of guns in public, but six states controlled by the Democratic Party require gun owners to opt for concealed-carry permits.
These permits are generally approved when the person can show “appropriate cause,” such as why they need to be armed in public spaces.
With variations depending on the county, this type of permit is required in California, New York, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and the District of Columbia.
In counties governed by the Republican Party and in rural California, for example, there may be a tendency to grant the permit as long as the applicant takes safety classes and does not have a criminal record.
But in cities like San Francisco, governed by liberal politicians, the tendency is to issue a permit to those who prove “a significant risk of threat to their lives” that cannot be countered by the application of the laws.
Due to the federal system in the United States, the Supreme Court ruling does not overturn these types of regional policies, but allows them to be legally challenged.
authorities of New York, Maryland and Massachusetts immediately pronounced in this sense.
“If you carry a gun illegally in New York City you will be arrested,” said City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
“We will review today’s ruling to determine its impact on our state, and we will continue to fight to protect the safety of the citizens of Maryland,” said state Attorney General Brian Frosh.
Her Massachusetts counterpart, Maura Healey, said she will stick to regional gun laws.
“Massachusetts has one of the lowest firearm death rates in the country because we know that restrictive laws save lives,” he said.
In New Jersey, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the court ruling Supreme Court “ignores centuries of experience.”
“We will continue to enforce our tough, common-sense gun laws, which have become a model for states seeking to tackle the epidemic of gun violence,” he announced.
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