A federal judge has upheld most of New York’s gun control laws. Judge William M. Skretny said in today’s ruling that the restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines was in line with the “state’s important interest in public safety,” hence the law is constitutional.

However, Judge Skretny struck down the part of the law that restricted the number of bullets that can be loaded in a gun to 7, terming it “an arbitrary restriction” that was not in line with the Second Amendment. The 7-bullet restriction took effect in April when Governor Andrew Cuomo passed the legislation despite complaints by gun owners that seven round magazines are not readily available for sale. Though the 7-bullet restriction was lifted, the judge determined that gun magazines must now be limited to 10 bullets — which is a standard number of bullets for a magazine to hold — not 7.

Together with lawmakers, Gov.  Cuomo passed the legislation that restricted sale of rifles in January. The legislation was passed partly in reaction to the mass shooting that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last December. The law is one of the most restrictive gun control laws in the United States. Today’s ruling comes in response to a suit filed by New York State Rifle and Pistol Association as well as other groups that oppose Coumo’s law.

Several gun rights groups have sharply criticized the law. Despite many recent mass shootings pro-gun advocates  still believe the law violates their constitutional rights and they have vowed to continue their opposition.

Reaction on the streets when the law was first passed.

Image via Wikipedia