By Hank Russell
Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that they say takes guns out of the hands of those who have a restraining order against them for domestic violence.
On June 21, the Supreme Court voted 8-1 in favor of reversing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s decision that a federal law prohibiting persons under a domestic violence restraining order from accessing guns violates the Second Amendment. Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenting vote.
“When a restraining order contains a finding that an individual poses a credible threat to the physical safety of an intimate partner, that individual may — consistent with the Second Amendment — be banned from possessing firearms while the order is in effect,” Justice John Roberts wrote.
Hochul agreed. “Today’s Supreme Court decision reinforces a simple point: common-sense gun safety laws save lives,” Hochul said. “In New York, we have some of the nation’s strongest laws to keep people safe from gun violence and protect survivors. Our nation-leading efforts to expand Red Flag Laws and restrict access to deadly weapons of war are continuing to improve public safety.”
Hochul said she allocated more than $40 million “on abusers like Zackey Rahimi and provide resources for survivors.” Rahimi was under a domestic violence restraining order for assaulting his girlfriend, and was therefore barred from possessing guns. Rahimi was subsequently involved in multiple shootings and then indicted for possession of a firearm while under a domestic violence restraining order.
James added, “Gun safety laws save lives. I am pleased with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the federal law that stops domestic abusers from legally possessing firearms. This law, and the similar statutes that have been established in nearly every American state and territory, help protect vulnerable people, and keep guns out of dangerous hands. … I will continue to use the great tools of my office to get guns off New York streets and protect our state’s residents from the scourge of gun violence.”
However, Hochul said, more work needs to be done. “The [New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v.] Bruen decision [which the Supreme Court ruled that New York State law requiring a permit to have a firearm around the house violated the Second Amendment], and countless other lawsuits filed in its wake, are a chilling reminder that our gun safety laws are consistently under attack. New York will not stand by, and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to Long Island 2nd Amendment Association and the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association for comment and is still awaiting a response.