Federal court upholds New York gun licensing – A federal court has rejected a challenge to New York’s process for licensing concealed handguns, a move cheered by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.  It is illegal for a private citizen to openly carry a pistol in the Empire State, and licenses to carry concealed weapons are issued if applicants show “proper cause” for carrying a gun. This gives judges broad discretion, and has made it extremely difficult for citizens in some areas to obtain handguns.