The Buckeye Institute has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Antonyuk v. James, representing Project 21, a national network of black political, civic, and business leaders. The institute argues that New York’s Conceal Carry Improvement Act infringes on the constitutional rights of New Yorkers, especially black citizens, to bear arms.
David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute and counsel of record for the brief, stated, “For decades, black Americans and other minorities were the targets of firearms regulations that prevented them from exercising their constitutional right to bear arms.” He further commented on the act as “little more than a continuation of these discriminatory 19th century laws.”
The issue follows a precedent set by New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against New York’s requirement for citizens to demonstrate a “special need” to obtain a firearm license. The Buckeye Institute contends that New York’s new law replaces “special need” with “essential character,” continuing to deny certain groups their Second Amendment rights.
