The United States Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Americans have the right to carry guns in public for self-defense.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado met with the mayors of some of the state's most impacted cities by deadly gun violence, including Yonkers and Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard expressed deep concerns about gun violence plaguing her city.

She called the Supreme Court's decision dangerous.

"It turned its back on the communities of color which is disproportionately impacted by gun violence," she says. 

According to the city police's annual report for 2021, crime was down in Mount Vernon but police still pulled 85 guns off the streets - up 20% from 2020.

"We talk about mass shootings but it's also the daily shootings that are happening in our communities predominately our communities of color because of the conditions of neglect," says Delgado.

Now the state is figuring out what to do. It is mulling the potential of changing the permitting process, creating a higher standard for a full permit, and making businesses opt-in to allow people to conceal carry.

Mayor Patterson-Howard promised to continue city initiatives like youth outreach in hopes of keeping gun violence at bay.

"This is something I'm greatly concerned about its impact on Mount Vernon," she said.