The SAFE Act is still as unpopular as ever with New York gun owners. While Gov. Andrew Cuomo still considers his bill one of the strongest gun safety laws in the country, new reports indicate that the burdensome anti-gun legislation has resulted in one arrest for every 1,407 residents in New York City. Groups like The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association had planned to challenge the law, but recent events have halted their effort.
Late conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was considered a friend to the gun rights movement. He was a large reason why activists felt confident to bring a SAFE Act challenge to the Supreme Court. Now, with Scalia’s passing just a few weeks ago, Second Amendment supporters have chosen to postpone the effort.
With Scalia's death, it's much harder for groups such as the Rifle and Pistol Association to feel comfortable with what the outcome for the case might be. The President of the group, Tom King, told the New York Daily News that this is "just the wrong time" to bring this case forward. They fear the court could tie 4-to-4, which would leave the law in place, or they could even vote in favor of the SAFE Act, which would establish a powerful new precedent in favor of gun regulation nationwide. So instead they're shelving the lawsuit.
It’s clear the Supreme Court numbers are currently against them. Yet, if a conservative is elected in November and has the opportunity to nominate a friend to the Second Amendment, you can guarantee New York gun rights groups will pick up where they left off.