Yes. And remember New York City tried to secede in early 1861. An independent nation to be thrive on commerce. A portion of upper New York state declared independence in 1777 and didn’t enter the US, as a part of NY state, till 1791. And they were the 11th state to ratify the Constitution, proposing another 30 or so amendments. Then there were the draft riots. NY has a long history of riots.
The law was passed to protect organized crime from armed victims.