WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday in favor of gun rights advocates in the first major firearms case before the court in over a decade.

In the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Court ruled 6-3 that people can carry a handgun for self-defense and the laws on concealed weapons in the state of New York were unconstitutionally restrictive.

New York state regulators required prospective gun owners to show “proper cause” in order to obtain a concealed carry license.

Essentially, gun owners would need to demonstrate they had a good enough reason to carry a concealed weapon before being issued a permit.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority opinion: “petitioners and respondents agree that ordinary, law-abiding citizens have a similar right to carry handguns publicly for their self-defense…. Because the State of New York issues public-carry licenses only when an applicant demonstrates a special need for self-defense, we conclude that the State’s licensing regime violates the Constitution.”

New York is one of eight states that can deny a concealed carry permit if an applicant does not demonstrate a “strong reason” to carry a weapon outside of their home.