New York law would require gun owners to turn over social media accounts

When a state either relaxes or toughens its gun laws, I usually just glance at the article and move on with life – unless something completely nutty happens. And boy howdy, did it ever!

Lawmakers in New York state just approved a new bill – which is expected to be signed into law – that would require anyone applying for a handgun license to turn over a list of their social media accounts so their "character and conduct" could be verified.

Let that sink in for a moment.

This is completely unprecedented. I'm not a big gun guy, but anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of civics can see this is impermissible. Under this bill, the state of New York would deny gun licenses on the basis of social media content.

If you still have your anti-Newt Gingrich zines from 25 years ago posted, or if you recently upvoted a Reddit post referring to Barbara Ferrer as "the Cryptkeeper", either one is likely to be fodder for the "character and conduct" police. And it's a slippery slope. Today it might affect gun licenses, but tomorrow it could be driver's licenses or any professional certification.

Those who made fun of me over that "America is fast becoming a police state" line are looking mighty silly right now.