Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has proposed amendments to the state’s concealed carry law in her $227 billion budget plan, which would allow armed security in houses of worship. The proposed changes aim to make clarifications under the law on who can carry firearms in public and where they can be carried. The new concealed carry package restricts the carrying of firearms in various public places, as well as adding new requirements for obtaining a license.
The changes follow multiple challenges to the restriction on guns in houses of worship, including one filed by New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, a conservative organization.
The budget proposal also seeks to clarify circumstances in which guns can be carried, such as retired law enforcement officers who are qualified to carry concealed firearms and armed transit officers who can carry their service weapons while on mass transit in New York City. Exceptions are also made for large areas like the Adirondack and Catskills state parks, as well as guns used ceremonially at funerals, memorial services, and film and TV production sets.
Governor Hochul has previously stated that the concerns raised over the law, such as carrying concealed firearms in the Adirondacks, have been exaggerated by opponents. The budget is expected to pass by March 31st.
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