Special Guests

The New York Police Department Will Now Allow Anyone Nationwide To Apply For an Open Carry License

A spokesman for the Second Amendment Foundation explains why this is such a big win for private gun owners.

In response to a lawsuit filed by Carl Higbie, the New York Police Department (NYPD) have apparently allowed for anyone – not just residents of New York – to file for an open-carry license.

The “emergency rule” was passed down this past Friday, noting no formal procedures for applicants. “A process by which non-State residents can apply for a carry license will ensure that the City is able to properly regulate handgun ownership within NYC while also complying with the Bruen decision,” it notes.

“In order to maintain a clear and publicly accessible policy, New York City must immediately implement an operative concealed carry licensing process for non-resident applicants. This emergency rule addresses an imminent threat to safety and property, as it allows New York City to maintain a licensing scheme that preserves public safety within the City while ensuring that gun license applications are evaluated in a manner consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bruen.” 

While Higbie called this “a big win for the Second Amendment,” it’s unknown how other states could respond to those applying for licenses from their particular states.

A spokesman for the Second Amendment Foundation joins us now to discuss the matter further.

Q&A:

  1. What are your thoughts on the New York Police Department allowing for anyone – even out-of-towners – the option to apply for an open-carry license?
  2. How do you think New York government could potentially respond to such an emergency rule being put in place, especially with its stingy anti-gun policies?
  3. Could individual states with their own anti-gun rules potentially interfere in someone trying to get a license? Or do they have very little say on the matter?
  4. Some believe that this basically notes that permission must be asked for regarding a license when it should already be provided by the Second Amendment. Regardless, doesn’t this knock down a barrier that would otherwise be an obstacle for some?
  5. Could other states follow suit? Or will they likely stick to their ongoing rules?
  6. Where can we learn more about the Second Amendment Foundation?

a. You can visit our official website at http://www.saf.org.

Second Amendment Foundation spokespersons available to be your guest:

ABOUT CHRIS CHENG (In Pacific Time)

Chris Cheng serves on the advisory council to the Second Amendment Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He is the History Channel’s Top Shot Season 4 Champion and author of the book “Shoot to Win.” Cheng is an Asian D&I advocate in the gun community; a former Google employee who went from self-taught amateur to pro shooter.

ABOUT CAM EDWARDS (In Eastern Time)

Cam Edwards is the editor at Bearing Arms-dot-com and hosts the popular podcast Cam & Company that focuses on Second Amendment news and information. Cam is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has worked in radio, television, and online media for over two decades. He currently lives on a small farm with his family near Farmville, Virginia, and is a member of the board of Citizens Committee to Keep and Bear Arms.

ABOUT MARK WALTERS (in Eastern Time):

Mark Walters is a member of the board of directors for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As a nationally syndicated host of two talk radio programs, Armed American Radio and Armed American Radio’s Daily Defense, Mark is heard on hundreds of stations weekly across the country. Mark is the co-founder of Armed American News and the recipient of the 2015 “Gun Rights Defender of the Year award.” In addition, Mark Walters is co-author of three books, including Lessons from Armed America, Lessons from Unarmed America, and Grilling While Armed.

ABOUT LEE WILLIAMS (In Eastern Time)

Lee Williams is also known as The Gun Writer and has been writing about the Second Amendment, firearms, the firearms industry, and the gun culture for more than ten years. He is the Chief Editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Reporting Project and is a frequent contributor to Ammoland News and Armed American Radio. In addition, Lee serves as a board member of Florida Carry, Inc. He was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming a newspaper editor, Lee was an investigative reporter in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. Lee has earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter and three medals of valor as a police officer. 

ABOUT DAVE WORKMAN (In Pacific Time):

Dave Workman is an award-winning career journalist and senior editor of TheGunMag.com. He writes for Liberty Park Press, Conservative Firing Line, and is communications director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He has authored Op-Ed pieces in several major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Seattle Times, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and co-authored seven books with Second Amendment Foundation Alan Gottlieb. Workman’s beat is firearms, from politics to the outdoors. He is widely considered an authority on firearms, concealed carry, and gun politics.

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing, and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 700,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at jerry@specialguests.com.

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On Facebook