On June 23rd, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a century-old New York law that required people to show a specific need to carry a firearm in public. After the 6-3 decision was made, New York responded by instituting other laws in regard to gun ownership.
The first change came to the state’s screening process. Beginning this September, people seeking to carry concealed handguns in the state will be required to hand over their social media accounts for a review of their “character and conduct.” The new law will also require applicants to undergo hours of safety training, prove they’re proficient at shooting, provide four character references and sit for in-person interviews.
Now another ruling is coming about, this one after an agreement between the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) and the New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO (HTC), was reached. Most hotels in NYC will ban guns on their respective properties.
The HTC is New York City’s hotel employees’ union and represents virtually all hotel and motel workers in all five boroughs of the city.
After the Supreme Court made its decision, the Hotel Trades Council wrote a letter to state lawmakers, asking them to pass an anti-gun bill that would designate much of the state as a “sensitive area.” The lawmakers agreed and the bill passed by the New York Legislature designated all of Times Square, sidewalks used for permitted events, hospitals, parks, playgrounds, government buildings, schools, day care centers, and several others places as “sensitive areas.” Private businesses such as hotels were included in the list of places defined as “sensitive areas.”
Once the bill was passed, the HTC and HANYC then worked together on an agreement to ban guns from hotels in the 5 boroughs of New York City. The new rule, which will go into effect over the coming weeks, will make virtually all hotel rooms in the city gun-free zones, save for guests who are on-duty police officers or are otherwise exempted under the new rule.
Each hotel will be required to reflect the new anti-gun policy on its website. It’s been said that signs, emails, staff on-premises, etc. will be potential ways to ensure guests are aware of the new law, and security or police will need to be on hand to remove violators.
“Public accommodations and tourism hubs may always be targets for people with guns to commit terrible acts of violence, but by achieving this agreement to keep guns away from these vulnerable areas, we can better ensure the security of workers and customers while also promoting the economic recovery of the hospitality sector,” Rich Maroko, President of the NY Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC) stated.
The few hotels in the city that are not represented by the HANYC and aren’t otherwise in gun-free zones could conceivably still allow weapons on their premises. That would be done at their own respective owners’ discretion.
Based on responses from websites of gun enthusiasts, potential lawsuits challenging the state’s and city’s new laws are expected to be filed imminently.
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