On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued an opinion striking down New York state’s requirement that gun owners prove they had a special need to carry their weapons before a permit allowing them to do so would be granted.
While the ruling was welcomed by conservatives, many Democrats quickly reacted with shock and horror.
Hollywood stars express alarms
In writing the majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas noted how “[i]n 43 States, the government issues licenses to carry based on objective criteria,” he wrote.
“But in six states, including New York, the government further conditions issuance of a license to carry on a citizen’s showing of some additional special need,” he continued, adding that such a condition is incompatible with the Second Amendment.
Breitbart noted that this didn’t go over well with high-profile leftists like Hollywood star Barbra Streisand, who expressed her opposition on Twitter.
In a country reeling from gun violence, the GOP extremists on the Supreme Court now overrule the rights of local governments to try and protect citizens. Truly a disgraceful ruling while the Justices themselves want protections against people with guns.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) June 23, 2022
Actor and filmmaker Albert Brooks sounded a similar note with a tweet of his own that the decision does away with any regulations on carrying firearms.
This morning the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Americans can carry concealed weapons without any rules. Can we chip in and buy them a television set?
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) June 23, 2022
The report shows that few murders are committed by permit holders
Justice Brett Kavanaugh made clear in his concurrence that Thursday’s ruling does not impact laws concerning who may possess a firearm or invalidate the requirement to obtain a permit in order to carry one.
Meanwhile, Bravo’s “Top Chef ” host Padma Lakshmi put out a tweet of her own suggesting that the ruling will lead to an upswing in gun violence.
When will enough be enough? How many more people need to die? https://t.co/cMYWgjR9i8
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) June 23, 2022
However, a report issued by the state of Texas found that of the over 1.7 million people who were licensed to carry a handgun there in 2021, only five were convicted of murder. On the other hand, there have been multiple instances in which legally armed Texas have successfully defended themselves or others.