New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about legislation passed during a special legislative session in the Red Room at the state Capitol, Friday, July 1, 2022, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

ALBANY - Chenango County delegates are blasting recent action of the state legislature that aims to limit when and where New Yorkers can carry a concealed firearm.

Local reps argue that the state’s adoption of new gun regulations on Friday is at odds with last month’s Supreme Court decision which struck down a century-old New York handgun licensing law requiring New Yorkers to show a special need to defend themselves in order to carry a handgun in public.

In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the state’s latest gun law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on June 1, restricts the carrying of a concealed weapon to certain places, including airports, bars, courthouses, educational institutions, entertainment venues, government buildings, and public rallies.

What’s more, the new law prohibits concealed weapons on private property unless the property owner expressly gives permission. It also creates new eligibility requirements for those seeking concealed carry permits, and requires background checks for ammunition purchases. New regulations take effect Sept. 1.

Republican leadership, including those who represent Chenango County, were quick to pan the new law, saying that Albany’s one-party Democrat rule lacks transparency and regard for second amendment rights.

Chenango County Clerk Brian Wessels said the newest layer of regulations may be too extreme, putting pressure on county licensing officials to adhere to new time-consuming mandates while also fielding what he believes will be an increase of pistol permit applications.

“My instincts are that this will lead to an increase in permits because I think what people will anticipate is that this is just the beginning of legislation,” said Wessels.

Wessels pointed to a 16-hour pistol permit course now required under the new law, as well as a face-to-face meeting requirement between applicants and the licensing officer (Judge Frank Revoir in Chenango County).

“It seems excessive and it seems like the priority for legislation around guns seems to be penalizing folks who are more law-abiding versus folks who are getting guns illegally,” Wessels said.

Republican Assemblyman Joseph Angelino posted to social media on Friday: “In true Albany fashion, instead of making tougher laws to punish criminals with firearms in urban areas, the focus of the Democrats was toward law-abiding pistol permit holders.”

Angelino added that the state legislature’s action was “open disdain and contempt” for the Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s gun laws were too restrictive.

“Legal gun owners, who meticulously follow the law, are being further overburdened with more unconstitutional regulations that fail to improve public safety,” Senator Peter Oberacker said in a statement. “In fact, there are many who will now face new dangers, including our volunteer first responders. I guarantee that these new gun control laws will not deter one criminal and will only contribute to more senseless violence.”

Advocates, on the other hand, maintain the new law only adds protection for New Yorkers that was stripped away by the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Here in New York, the right to feel safe in public spaces is not secondary to unfettered access to firearms,” said Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. “And when this right-wing conservative court inevitably continues its assault on our democracy, we will remain as committed as ever to protecting the rights of every New Yorker.”