VOA新闻杂志2022--美国最高法取消纽约公共枪支限制

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US Supreme¹ Court Strikes Down New York Limit on Guns in Public

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a New York law requiring a special reason to carry a gun in public is unconstitutional.

The decision represents a major expansion of gun rights in states with similar laws. It also comes when there is political division over the issue of gun laws and concerns over gun violence.

The court's 6-3 decision follows recent mass shootings in such places as an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a food store in Buffalo², New York. The ruling also was issued as the U.S. Congress is working on legislation dealing³ with guns.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority. He said that the U.S. Constitution protects "an individual's right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home."

The majority of justices struck down a New York law requiring people to show a "proper cause" or specific need in order to get a permit to carry a gun in public. The justices said the requirement violates the Second Amendment⁴ right to "keep and bear arms" and the Fourteenth Amendment.

Justice Stephen Breyer and two other justices disagreed with the majority's ruling. He wrote, "Since the start of this year alone (2022), there have already been 277 reported mass shootings—an average of more than one per day."

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who is a member of the Democratic Party, said the court's decision comes at a painful time. She said the state is still mourning the deaths of 10 people in a mass shooting at a Buffalo-area food store.

She called the decision "reprehensible," meaning it is something that should be criticized. She also said, "It's not what New Yorkers want."

American President Joe Biden, also a Democrat⁵, said, "This ruling contradicts both common sense and the Constitution, and should deeply trouble us all." He added that, after the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, "...we must do more as a society - not less - to protect our fellow Americans."

Wayne LaPierre is a leader of the gun rights organization National Rifle Association. He called the court's decision a "win for good men and women all across America."

He said in a statement: "The right to self-defense and to defend your family and loved ones should not end at your home."

New York's law has been in place since 1913. Under the law's "proper cause" requirement, people seeking an unrestricted concealed⁶ carry permit must show a need for self-defense. State officials also gave restricted licenses⁷ to carry a weapon for specific purposes such as hunting, target shooting, or going to and from their place of business.

Firearms safety groups and gun control activists⁸ feared that a ruling against New York's law would lead to more guns on the streets and higher rates of violent crime. They feared that such a ruling could endanger bans on guns in sensitive places such as airports, courthouses, hospitals and schools.

The ruling is the high court's first major gun decision in more than 10 years. It affects Americans living in several states including California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey⁹ and Rhode Island. These states have similar laws to New York's.

The Supreme Court last issued a major gun decision in 2010. In that decision and also in a ruling in 2008, the justices confirmed a nationwide right to keep a gun at home for self-defense. In Thursday's decision, the court expanded the right to carry a gun outside the home.

The court's decision to expand gun rights comes as gun laws are a hotly disputed political issue.

A Pew Research Center study in 2021 found that over half of Americans, 53 percent, say gun laws should be stricter than they are currently. The study said that opinion was held by 81 percent of Democrats¹⁰ and Democratic-leaning independents. But only 20 percent of Republicans and Republican supporters agreed.

Words in This Story

proper –adj. correct based on social or moral rules

contradict –v. to not agree with in a way that shows or suggests something is false

concealed –adj. hidden from sight

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

3 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

4 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

5 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

6 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

7 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

8 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

10 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》