The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered the nation’s widest expansion of gun laws in a decade, as a bipartisan package of modest gun safety measures advanced in the Senate

The court stuck down a New York law previously restricting individuals from carrying a concealed handgun outside of their homes.

In a 6-3 majority, the justices found the State’s licensing regime is in direct violation of the country’s Constitution.

The decision will effectively alter the regulatory framework currently being used by lower courts who analyse other gun restrictions.

Experts say this expansion of the Second Amendment will likely have wider ramifications far beyond carrying firearms in public, such as the age restrictions on assault weapons.

Critics also warn it will prevent sensible legislative changes to curb gun violence.

The new Senate bill aims to tighten background checks, but excludes further sweeping gun control measures favoured by Democrats, like bans on high impact weapons.