Residents of New York and New Jersey are rushing to secure gun permits amid rising concerns about safety and anticipated gun control legislation.
At a Glance
- Applications for gun permits in NY and NJ have skyrocketed since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
- The NYPD received over 11,000 applications for concealed carry permits from 2022 to early 2024.
- New Jersey saw about 41,000 new applications between 2022 and June 2024.
- Authorities are struggling to keep up with the increased demand for permits.
- The legislative environment and public sentiment around personal security are driving factors.
Surge in Applications
The spike in gun permit applications in New York and New Jersey is a significant indicator of public anxiety and anticipation of more restrictive gun laws. This surge follows the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a New York law requiring applicants to demonstrate a “proper cause” for self-defense to obtain a concealed carry permit.
According to data, the NYPD received over 11,000 applications for concealed carry permits from 2022 to early March 2024, with more than 1,800 in just the first two months of 2024. In contrast, only 315 applications were submitted in 2021. Similarly, New Jersey experienced a spike, with about 41,000 applications between 2022 and June 2024, with nearly 12,500 in the first half of 2024 alone.
Applications for permits to carry guns have spiked in both New York City and New Jersey since the U.S. Supreme Court ordered New York and other states with strict regulations to make it easier for people to arm themselves in the summer of 2022. https://t.co/cEHa85jX9Q pic.twitter.com/59jXFuTZFj
— Gothamist (@Gothamist) August 13, 2024
Impact of Legislative Changes
The surge is a direct consequence of the Supreme Court’s decision, which has changed the baseline of gun possession rights. Following the ruling, both New York and New Jersey revised their permit laws, adding new requirements and banning firearms in many places. A master instructor at the New Jersey Firearms Academy, Lateif Dickerson, said, “Most people are getting the carry license just for self-defense, home protection… A lot of people are not going to rely on the police for their personal safety. They’d rather be able to protect their self and their family.”
This legislative environment has led many to preemptively apply for permits, fearing stricter laws in the future. David Pucino, legal director at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, remarked, “It’s a stunning increase. It’s particularly alarming because it’s changing the baseline of public safety in New Jersey.”
Amid ongoing fear of crime, more than 13,300 New Yorkers applied for licenses to carry guns in the city last year, a near-double increase compared to 2022.https://t.co/s3xU1QglKN
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 27, 2024
Authorities and Public Response
Authorities in both states are struggling to keep up with the dramatic increase in permit applications. The NYPD received 13,369 gun permit applications in 2023, a significant rise from 7,407 in 2022 and 4,665 in 2021. A poll from the Manhattan Institute revealed that 62% of likely city voters feel less safe than in 2020, reflecting the rising anxiety and driving force behind the permit surge.
The financial impact is also evident, with the NYPD projected to earn $6.3 million in gun permit application fees this fiscal year. Transparency initiatives, such as New Jersey’s anonymized data publication on carry permits, aim to provide clarity on where the applications are increasing. This data is considered a key component to enhancing public safety.
The numbers underscore a significant shift in public sentiment regarding personal security and the role of firearms in ensuring it. As law-abiding citizens, we must evaluate the implications of these legislative changes and societal perceptions to maintain the balance between safety and constitutional rights.
