NY ban on guns in church blocked temporarily by U.S. judge

A federal judge in Buffalo has temporarily blocked New York State from enforcing part of a new gun law that bans firearms from churches or other places of worship.

It’s the second time this month courts have found parts of New York’s concealed-carry law, adopted this past summer, too restrictive — although both rulings likely will be appealed.

The challenge against the ban on guns in places of worship was filed by an organization that lobbies for evangelical churches, along with gun groups and individual pastors who said they wished to “exercise their fundamental individual right to bear arms on church property.”

Judge John Sinatra, of the U.S. District Court in Western New York, issued a temporary restraining order Thursday preventing the state from enforcing the ban while the lawsuit plays out in court.

"The nation's history does not countenance such an incursion into the right to keep and bear arms across all places of worship across the state," Sinatra wrote. "The right to self-defense is no less important and no less recognized at these places."

Sinatra scheduled a hearing on the temporary restraining order for Nov. 3.

Sinatra cited the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that struck down New York’s concealed-weapon law, saying the conditions for obtaining a license were too vague and subjective.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul quickly convened the State Legislature to enact a new law, requiring many hours of training and banning concealed weapons from “sensitive areas,” including mass transit, churches and places that serve alcohol.

On Oct. 6, a federal judge in Syracuse ruled unconstitutional parts of the law requiring license applicants to disclose all social media accounts and sit for an in-person interview to demonstrate “good moral character.”

That ruling was put on hold, however, after Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James filed an appeal.

The state also is expected to appeal Sinatra’s ruling, although a James spokeswoman said Friday the office still was reviewing Sinatra's decision.

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, an organization representing evangelical churches, praised the ruling.

“New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms will continue to push back against the [law] until the right of self-protection is restored in churches across our great state,” said the Rev. Jason J. McGuire, the group’s executive director.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy