NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City is officially launching a pilot program to test gun detection scanners in the subway system, Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday.
The gun-detecting technology will be implemented at select subway stations over the next month, the mayor said. The 30-day pilot program is testing the technology as an added safety measure to help prevent shootings in the subway system.
“Many New Yorkers will be familiar with this type of technology. It’s not new,” Adams said. “We’re currently using similar technology at the Met, One Vanderbilt, Citi Field and 10 Major League Baseball stadiums around the country.”
The gun detectors will be located before people use the turnstiles to enter the subway system.
“Just as with bag checks, we will not be announcing in advance where or when we are doing this,” Adams said. “It could be every fifth, 10th or 20th person. It will vary from day to day.”
People can decline to go through the weapon scanner if they are selected to be screened. However, if a person refuses, they won’t be able to enter the subway system through the turnstile, according to NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper.
The weapon scanners are facing pushback from the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Legal Aid Society. The organizations argue that the weapon scanners violate New Yorkers' Fourth Amendment rights.
“With this misguided, fraught, and invasive technology now in effect, we are in the process of preparing litigation to protect the constitutional rights of all New Yorkers,” the organizations said in a joint statement. “New Yorkers did not consent to give up their rights or be NYPD guinea pigs for over-hyped and error-prone surveillance tech. We are prepared to protect the right of all subway riders to be free from NYPD intrusion and harassment.”
Michael Gerber, New York City's deputy commissioner of legal matters who serves as the NYPD’s general counsel, believes the weapon detecting technology is lawful.
“We think this is completely lawful, consistent with the case law. There is an entire special needs doctrine under the Fourth Amendment which really is talking about this type of scenario, doing what we’re doing in order to keep people safe, in particular, to prevent shootings on subways,” Gerber said.
Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.
