High court rebuffs N.Y. gun license challenge

WASHINGTON, April 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court Monday refused to review a lower-court ruling that rejected a challenge to New York's handgun licensing requirements.

The state requires applicants for the licenses to show they have "proper cause" to obtain a permit to carry a handgun. The rejection by the Supreme Court in a one-line order with no comment sets no precedent, and doesn't mean the justices might not take up the issue in some other case.

The Supreme Court has twice ruled people have a Second Amendment right to have a pistol for self-defense in the home, but has never extended that right.

Several plaintiffs challenged the state's restrictions on carrying a gun, citing the Second and 14th Amendments and saying the need for self-defense was "proper cause."

But a federal judge ruled summarily for the state without hearing argument.

A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed, saying, "Because the proper cause requirement is substantially related to New York's compelling interests in public safety and crime prevention, we affirm."

The challenge was supported by gun rights advocates.