New York’s Ivory Ban to Face Challenge on Constitutional Grounds

Antique dealers in New York got the green light Aug. 14 to move forward with their lawsuit alleging New York’s ivory ban unconstitutionally restricts commercial speech.

The 2014 New York law makes it illegal to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or otherwise distribute elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn within state lines. A dealer that trades in ivory in New York without a state-issued permit risks being charged with a felony and significant civil penalties. Even with a permit, stores can’t physically display ivory products that aren’t authorized for in-state sales.

A comprehensive national ban on commercial ivory sales in the U.S. ...