Federal Judge Rules NYC Cannot Deny Gun Licenses Based on Applicants' Moral Character

A federal judge has ruled that New York City's gun licensing regime, which allows officials to deny applicants based on their "moral character," violates the Second Amendment. The judge found the regulations vague and unconstrained, staying the ruling to allow officials time to appeal. The defendants argued historical analogues, but the judge deemed them unconvincing. The ruling follows a recent decision in California where a judge ruled the state's ban on assault weapons unconstitutional, citing the Second Amendment.