Supreme Court Lets Niagara Falls Pastor’s Push for Armed Worship Continue Against New York State

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal concerning New York's Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) leaving certain provisions of the law intact while others remain suspended pending further judicial review. The Court's refusal to act is a win for religious leaders like Rev. Dr. Jimmie Hardaway Jr., pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Niagara Falls, who has been at the forefront of challenging the law's restrictions on firearms in places of worship.

Rev. Hardaway, along with Bishop Larry Boyd of Buffalo, filed a lawsuit contesting the CCIA's prohibition against carrying firearms in houses of worship. They argued that this ban infringed upon their Second Amendment rights and compromised the safety of their congregations.

Highlighting the tragic 2015 shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Rev. Hardaway has emphasized the importance of self-defense measures within religious settings. He stated that prior to the CCIA's enactment, he routinely carried a firearm during services to ensure the safety of his parishioners.

In response to their lawsuit, U.S. District Court Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. issued a temporary restraining order, later extended to a preliminary injunction, preventing the enforcement of the CCIA's ban on firearms in places of worship. Judge Sinatra concluded that the restriction was inconsistent with the nation's historical traditions and likely violated the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs.

Despite these lower court rulings, the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the appeal means that the broader legal battle over the CCIA's constitutionality will continue in lower courts. Governor Kathy Hochul expressed approval of the Supreme Court's stance, asserting that New York's stringent gun laws are instrumental in reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety. Conversely, Second Amendment advocates, including organizations supporting Rev. Hardaway's position, expressed disappointment and pledged to persist in their efforts to defend gun owners' rights.

The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene at this stage allows the existing injunctions to remain, permitting individuals like Rev. Hardaway to continue carrying firearms in their places of worship while the case proceeds through the judicial system.

Supreme Court Lets Niagara Falls Pastor’s Push for Armed Worship Continue in New York State