Budget clarifies entire Adirondack Park is not 'sensitive location'

ALBANY | Constituents and government officials who reside in the Adirondack Park have voiced concern and confusion about a concealed carry law that Gov. Kathy Hochul drafted and signed in an extraordinary session last July. The law included a list of "sensitive locations" including airports, houses of worship, government buildings and public parks. The urgency of this legislation was in response to the U.S. Supreme Court case, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which struck down a provision in New York law that concealed carry applicants demonstrate proper cause before being issued a concealed carry firearm license. Assemblyman Billy Jones, Assemblyman Matt Simpson and Sen. Dan Stec asked for answers for months after the session ended July 1, by sending letters to Hochul and proposing legislation that would exempt the Adirondack Park from the "public park" category. Hochul assured residents that the law doesn't apply to the entire Adirondack Park, at a Q&A session given after speaking at Mt. Van Hoevenberg about the FISU World University Winter Games, July 29. This left North Country leaders and residents unsatisfied. Now there is official legislation specifying that the Adirondack Park does not fall under "public parks." The specifications are outlined in the 2024 New York State Executive Budget public protection and general government article vii legislation part F, Technical Amendments to the Concealed Carry Improvement Act. It states that "a 'public park' shall not include those areas designated as an 'Adirondack Park' pursuant to subdivision one of section 9-0101 of the environmental conservation law." The budget also clarifies that historical reenactors are allowed to have their reenactment weapons in sensitive locations as long as they are "licensed, certified, authorized or funded by the state or a municipality, so long as such possession is in compliance with any rules or regulations applicable to the operation of such programs and use or storage of firearms." Last summer, some historical reenactors didn't use their guns because they were unsure if they were breaking the law. Another aspect of the law that brought about concern was the new requirements for residents seeking to get or renew a concealed carry permit. The requirements included a more rigorous background check, an in-person interview and training courses. Essex County Clerk Chelsea Merrihew's office collaborates with New York State Police and the county judge on the application process. She said they were busier the first six months after the law was enacted when everything was still "pretty up in the air," but since then, it has calmed down. "Once there was a couple of local organizations were able to get the training courses set up, the number of applications went back to what I would call normal," Merrihew said. "I feel like the procedures are streamlined now." She said not much has really changed when it comes to what has to be done to get a permit, the process is just a little different.

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Budget clarifies entire Adirondack Park is not 'sensitive location'

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