NY Man Challenges Times Square Gun Ban

Lawsuit claims 2022 law violates Second Amendment rights

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A solitary figure stands alone in the middle of a dimly lit Times Square, the iconic billboards and skyscrapers casting long shadows across the empty streets, capturing the quiet, cinematic mood of the scene.The legal battle over New York's ban on guns in Times Square reflects the complex tensions between public safety and individual rights.NYC Today

Yehuda Goldberger, a gun owner from Hillburn, New York, has filed a lawsuit against city and state officials challenging a 2022 law that bans guns in Times Square. Goldberger claims the law violates his Second Amendment rights, as he frequently visits Times Square for recreation and work but is forced to disarm due to the restrictions.

Why it matters

The lawsuit is the latest challenge to the 2022 law, which designates Times Square as a 'sensitive location' where guns are prohibited. The law has survived previous legal challenges, but this new lawsuit could test the boundaries of gun rights in public spaces.

The details

Goldberger, who is being co-represented by the Firearms Policy Coalition, argues that Times Square is a public place where the need for self-defense may arise. The lawsuit names New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office has previously defended the Times Square gun ban in court.

  • The 2022 law restricting guns in Times Square was enacted that year.
  • In 2025, a U.S. Court of Appeals denied a previous challenge to the Times Square gun ban.

The players

Yehuda Goldberger

A gun owner from Hillburn, New York, who has filed a lawsuit challenging the 2022 law banning guns in Times Square.

Firearms Policy Coalition

The co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, representing Goldberger's case against the Times Square gun ban.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General, whose office has previously defended the Times Square gun ban in court.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The lawsuit is the latest challenge to the 2022 Times Square gun ban, and the outcome could have broader implications for gun rights in public spaces across New York.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over balancing public safety concerns with individual gun rights, as lawmakers and advocates continue to grapple with how to address gun violence in densely populated urban areas like Times Square.