SUPREME COURT FINDS NEW YORK GUN LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL

On June 23rd the Supreme Court ruled that New York’s gun licensing law is unconstitutional. The law required New Yorkers’ wishing to carry a handgun to apply for a permit demonstrating a particular need to carry a gun. Justice Thomas authored the opinion for the court. The court’s ruling makes clear that requiring individuals to demonstrate a need to carry a gun violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
 
In 2021, Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell (with attorney John Reeves) filed an amicus brief for the Independent Women’s Law Center in support of Petitioner, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, et al.  Ellinger and Bell’s brief argues that the Second Amendment right to self-defense extends beyond the home, and that women especially benefit from the right to carry a firearm for self-defense outside the home.
 
Justice Alito’s concurring opinion cited the Independent Women’s Law Center amicus brief on page 5 of his concurrence.  The court’s opinion and Justice Alito’s concurrence can be found here. You can read the amicus brief here.