On Thursday, a federal judge issued a ruling that dealt a major blow to a gun control law in the state of New York.
The Daily Caller reports that the law in question was one of several passed by the Democrat-controlled state legislature back in September, intended to increase state-level restrictions on the Second Amendment after a major ruling by the United States Supreme Court threw out a previous New York law against concealed carry; the 1911 Sullivan Act, which required citizens to show “proper cause” when applying for a concealed carry permit, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.
One of the laws passed in the aftermath of Bruen implemented a ban on firearms in places of worship and other areas deemed “sensitive.” In response, the state was sued by two clerics and several gun rights organizations; the plaintiffs asked for an injunction until a court could hear the merits of the case.
An injunction was granted by U.S. District Judge John Sinatra Jr., who determined that the law violated the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, thus preventing the law from taking effect and being enforced. Sinatra had previously issued a temporary hold on the law back in October, which is now extended by his latest injunction.
“The court reiterates that ample Supreme Court precedent addressing the individuals right to keep and bear arms – from Heller and McDonald to its June 2022 decision in Bruen – dictates that New York’s new place of worship restriction is equally unconstitutional,” Sinatra wrote in his decision. “The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are the Status quo – not 2022 legislation on the books for nine weeks.”
“Legislative enactments may not eviscerate the Bill of Rights,” Sinatra added. “Every day they do is one too many. The nation’s history does not countenance such an incursion into the right to keep and bear arms across all places of worship across the state. The right to self defense is no less important and no less recognized at these places.”
Sinatra, who serves on the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, was first appointed by President Donald Trump in December of 2019.