New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. City of New York
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out the Second Circuit's judgment and sent the case back (vacated and remanded), without finally deciding whether the city's former rule violated the Constitution.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 6-3 · April 27, 2020 · Per curiam
- What it’s about
- Gun owners challenged a New York City rule that barred them from taking a licensed, locked, and unloaded handgun to a second home or shooting range outside the city, arguing that the restriction was unconstitutional.
- Who it affects
- The Court did not finally decide whether the restriction violated the Second Amendment, the Commerce Clause (the Constitution's rules for interstate trade), or the constitutional right to travel.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
After New York changed the law and the city amended the rule to allow that transport, the Supreme Court held that the request for declaratory and injunctive relief was moot.
The case sits at the intersection of gun rights, travel, and what happens when a government changes a rule during a lawsuit.
Question presented
Whether the City's ban on transporting a licensed, locked, and unloaded handgun to a home or shooting range outside city limits is consistent with the Second Amendment, the Commerce Clause, and the constitutional right to travel.
What the Court decided
Holding
The judgment of the Court of Appeals is vacated, and the case is remanded for such proceedings as are appropriate.
- Result
- Vacated
The vote
- Joined the judgment
- Concurred in a separate opinion
- Dissented
- Wrote an opinion
- Concurring · 1agreed with the result, wrote separately
- Kavanaughwrote separately
What's next
The case returns to the lower courts; the Court remanded it (sent it back) for whatever proceedings are appropriate after New York changed the rule. The constitutional challenge remains unresolved.
Why it matters
The lower courts will determine what proceedings are appropriate after New York changed the rule.
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
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Opinion added: Opinion
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Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions
Brief added: Questions Presented
More questions
- What did New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. City of New York do?
- The Supreme Court wiped out the Second Circuit's judgment and sent the case back for further proceedings (vacated and remanded). It did not finally decide the constitutional challenge.
- What rule did the gun owners challenge?
- New York City barred licensed owners from taking a locked, unloaded handgun to a second home or shooting range outside city limits.
- Did the Supreme Court decide whether New York City's rule was constitutional?
- No. The Court's action left the Second Amendment, Commerce Clause, and right-to-travel questions unresolved.
- What happens next after the Court's action?
- The case returns to the lower courts; the Court remanded it (sent it back) for appropriate proceedings after New York changed the rule.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.