Rockland Gun Owner Sues Over Times Square Carry Ban

Lawsuit argues New York's 'sensitive locations' rule unconstitutionally bars licensed carriers from defending themselves in busy public space.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:03pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone figure standing in the middle of a mostly empty Times Square, with the iconic buildings and billboards of the area visible in the background, all bathed in warm, dramatic lighting and deep shadows that create a contemplative, nostalgic mood.As legal battles over New York's gun laws continue, the iconic lights and billboards of Times Square stand as a backdrop to the ongoing debate over the right to self-defense in public spaces.Manhattan Today

A Rockland County gun owner and the Firearms Policy Coalition have filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York's ban on carrying firearms in Times Square. The complaint argues the rule strips licensed handgun carriers of the ability to defend themselves in one of the city's most crowded public spaces, and urges the court to block enforcement while the case plays out.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is the latest test of the Supreme Court's Bruen decision, which requires courts to measure modern gun regulations against historical tradition. A ruling that backs the plaintiffs could reopen a major front in New York's post-Bruen regulatory scheme, while a loss would reinforce the state's power to restrict carry in crowded urban areas.

The details

The case, Goldberger v. James, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs are Yehuda Goldberger, a Rockland County resident and licensed concealed-carry holder, and the Firearms Policy Coalition. The defendants are Attorney General Letitia James, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

  • The lawsuit was filed on March 31, 2026.

The players

Yehuda Goldberger

A Rockland County resident and licensed concealed-carry holder who regularly commutes to Midtown Manhattan for work and recreation.

Firearms Policy Coalition

A national gun-rights group serving as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Letitia James

The Attorney General of New York.

Jessica Tisch

The Commissioner of the New York Police Department.

Alvin Bragg

The Manhattan District Attorney.

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What they’re saying

“The Times Square restriction unconstitutionally deprives individuals of the right to keep and bear arms in what is indisputably a public place where the need for self-defense may arise.”

— Firearms Policy Coalition, Co-plaintiff

What’s next

The defendants have not yet filed a public response, but the case is expected to progress quickly with a focus on the Bruen standard and whether the Times Square ban fits within the historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The takeaway

This lawsuit represents the latest high-profile clash over New York's post-Bruen gun regulations, with the outcome potentially having major implications for the state's ability to restrict carry in crowded urban areas.