Supreme Court allows New York to enforce gun-control laws pending legal challenges

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the state of New York to enforce a law banning firearms from being carried in certain locations while legal challenges to the legislation proceed.

Conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas said the decision to not intervene in the appeals court ruling at the moment was not reflective of the law's merits.

"The New York law at issue in this application presents novel and serious questions under both the First and the Second Amendments," Alito wrote on behalf of himself and Thomas. 

"Applicants should not be deterred by today's order from again seeking relief" if the appeals court does not explain its order or expedite an appeal, Alito said.

The New York law passed over the summer prohibits firearms from being carried on public transportation or in restaurants that serve alcohol, religious facilities, schools, and more. The law was in response to a Supreme Court ruling that struck down New York's requirement for people to show a need to carry a gun before receiving a concealed carry requirement.