Amicus: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett

The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett, arguing that restrictions on guns in public spaces are appropriate to make public spaces safe for democratic participation, including First Amendment activity such as assembly, association, and speech. While the case directly addresses the Second Amendment, the ACLU and NYCLU argue that concerns about speech and assembly justify regulating public carrying of guns.

Strict regulations of public carry, both open and concealed, have been common measures throughout American history as a way of maintaining the peace and safety of public places. The brief argues that states have an important interest in making public spaces safe in order to facilitate public debate, and that state and local governments have long enforced this interest through regulating the public carrying of weapons.