New York imposes new gun restrictions on concealed carry

New York State started to prohibit concealed carry of weapons in designated sensitive areas across the state on Thursday after the US Supreme Court struck down the state's century-old concealed carry weapons law in June.

Concealed carry permit holders are not allowed to bring their firearms into sensitive locations, including Times Square, bars, libraries, schools, government buildings, and hospitals, according to the new law, which took effect on Thursday, Xinhua reports.

"Individuals who are not exempt from this restriction under the law can be charged with a felony for violating its sensitive locations provision," said a press release from the New York State government on Wednesday.

Local law enforcement departments are installing signage in sensitive areas with the launch of a public awareness campaign.

"We will be posting signage at every entrance into Times Square informing those traveling through that the area is a gun-free zone and that licensed gun carriers and others may not enter with a gun unless otherwise specially authorized by law," said Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, on Wednesday.

Though the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen means a setback in fighting against gun violence in the state, the New York State legislature passed new laws with restrictions on concealed carry weapons days after the ruling.