New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen

In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that New York's concealed carry law, which required applicants to demonstrate "proper cause" for a permit, was unconstitutional. The 6-3 majority, in an opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas, stated that the state's licensing regime violated the Constitution because it only issued licenses when a special need for self-defense was shown.1

This ruling significantly impacted gun control laws, essentially shifting New York from a "may-issue" state to a "shall-issue" state. This means that authorities must issue a concealed carry permit to an applicant who meets the basic requirements, rather than having discretion to deny it based on a lack of "proper cause". The decision affirmed an individual's right to bear arms for self-defense, building upon previous interpretations of the Second Amendment.23