NY State Judge Immune From Lawsuit Over Gun License Decisions

A New York judge can’t be sued for denying individual gun license applications, the Second Circuit held Monday.

The court rejected arguments from two New York residents who said Judge Jonathan D. Nichols in Columbia County violated their constitutional rights when he rejected their gun license applications. The plaintiffs argued that Nichols acted in an administrative—not judicial—capacity when he handed down his decision, which means he can be sued.

Nichols’ denials “constituted ‘judicial decisions’” for which he “was entitled to absolute judicial immunity from suit for damages in his individual capacity,” Judge Raymond J. Lohier Jr. wrote for the court. ...