Should you be required to hand over information about your private social media accounts in order to receive a state handgun license? This question is so controversial that it almost made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the highest court declined to hear the case on April 7th, 2025.

Declining the case means that the previous court’s ruling will set the legal precedent that other courts are expected to follow.

The previous court blocked the state from enforcing a requirement for handgun license applicants to reveal their social media accounts. The court also ruled that New York state couldn’t make it a crime to conceal a gun on private property without the consent of the property owner.

The court additionally ruled that some parts of the New York firearm laws will be upheld, though, including banning firearms from “sensitive” locations. These “sensitive” locations include hospitals, public transportation areas, and schools. The court also upheld the state’s requirement that handgun owners prove they’re of “good moral character”.

Gun laws and restrictions on perceived gun rights have always been controversial.

According to New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, “New York’s strong gun safety laws save lives.” Governor Hochul also told the media that she agrees with the high court’s decision not to challenge the newest law, which will help ensure guns don’t wind up in the wrong hands.

Previously, New York attempted to have much stricter gun laws, but they were shot down by the Supreme Court in 2022. The state wanted to restrict all guns being carried outside of the home except for people who could prove they had a special need for protection. This restriction was struck down, but since then, lawmakers in New York have been hard at work to make new rules that continue to restrict where guns can be carried legally.

Gun Crimes in New York

New York’s strict gun laws are accompanied by very strict criminal penalties for people accused of using firearms for nefarious purposes. In New York, the penalty for criminal possession of a firearm is up to four years in prison. This offense is also an automatic felony, which comes with lifelong consequences.

This is the least severe form of criminal possession of a firearm. The circumstances surrounding the incident could bump you up to criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, which is a class B felony. This type of crime comes with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.

Factors that could impact the severity of your penalties include the type of firearm you possessed, your personal criminal history, the intent you had when you were carrying your weapon, and the impact the crime had on any victims.

You can also be charged with this crime on top of other crimes. Possessing a firearm would be considered an aggravated factor in most cases, which would increase the penalties you face if convicted.

The best way to defend yourself if you’re accused of a gun crime is to consult with an attorney. Schedule a free phone call to discuss your legal concerns with our best Brooklyn lawyers now by leaving your contact details with our team.