NY State requirements to purchase a handgun?

L

Leejack

New member
I'm asking this question for my brother who lives in Western NY.

What are the reqirements for purchasing a handgun?

Applications?
Fees?
Waiting periods?
Other restrictions?

Also, he seems to think that you need a reason??? If this is true, what is an acceptable reason. He does live on a farm that has critters.

Thanks in advance!

Donald
:)
 
I depends upon which county he lives in.

Erie county is a PITA, application, pistol course, months and months of waiting and they have 2 levels of permit, hunting and target and Concealed carry.
It is much harder to get a concealed in Erie county.

Cattraraugus county is easier, only one kind of permit, concealed carry application and a few months of waiting, I do not know about the other counties

wftree
 
He lives in Erie County and would go for hunting and target, "not" concealed carry.

What is PITA? Can the months and months be expidited? Also, is hunting and target shooting the "reason" for the application?

Thanks!
 
I live in Rensselaer county, NY. Back in 1987 when I got my permit the procedure was: Complete the application, which included fingerprints and photos, Take a 5 hr. handgun safety class, WAIT. I don't know if it's still the same, but I needed to have three character references ( choose carefully, these people were mailed a questionaire which must be filled out and returned). My permit was originally limited to " target and Hunting". When I requested it be changed to "Unrestricted" the county judge certainly wanted to know the reason. At the time I said that I spent alot of time fishing, camping, and hiking. I don't know if this was reason enough because I also got hired as a part time Police officer at the same time and my request was approved without any problem. Good luck!!
 
Leejack

Expedited in Erie county??? not a chance

I got mine for CC a long time ago and it took 4 months in Cattaraugus county Erie is more like 8 months, 9Ball Billy is right, finger prints references, safety course, offered at Buffalo Gun Center.

Reason Hunting and Target.

References must be from the area serviced by the investigating agency, SO if the police department that will be doing his is the Sheriffs department then anyone from the county will do. If it is a city or town then they all have to be from that city or town!!!
 
All western NY permits are CC permits unless there is a restriction by the local county.

You'll find all the info that you need at the county clerks office.
 
Thanks! I appreciate the response from all!

All of this is just unbelievable to me. They really make it difficult up there in NY!

I live in Texas. You just fill out a simple form, then they call the FBI, 30 seconds later, you're in!!!

The reasons we Texans buy guns:

1. I've only got 9 and I need 10
2. The one in the showcase looks pretty
3. I want to make the biggest hole in the target
4. There's room for 1 more under my pillow
5. Just cuz :D
Just a little humor!

I will relay this info to my brother. I really do appreciate the good information that you guys have provided!

All the best!!!

Donald
 
Hi Leejack. If your brother has not taken the safety course yet for his pistol permit, if you and him would like I could put you in touch with our Threat Management trainer who gives the pistol permit safety course in Erie and Niagara County. He is excellent and also has advanced courses available after your brother has his permit. You could send me a private message and I'll be glad to talk to him and give him any information he would like.
 
Residents of the cities such as Lackawanna are handled in house, then finalized in the county. This usually allows for quicker processing.

They may also give a business permit which allows cc during business hours. I had one for a few years until I had it changed to unrestricted.

kenny b
 
If your brother is lucky enough to be in Niagara county, he can have his pistol permit in ~ 2 months with ZERO restrictions!

Just make sure he puts down "personal protection" as one of his reasons for wanting a permit. I have heard of people putting just "hunting and target shooting" as their reason and suprisingly they recieved a permit for just...hunting and target shooting!!!!!
 
wnycollector -

I just submitted my permit application through Niagara County, since I live in rural Pendleton (mainly because I am due to inherit my Grandfather's (very valuable) WWII Remington Rand M1911A1 pistol, which I plan on registering on my permit once it's approved - gun will not be in my possession until that happens). I'm hoping the permit process is smooth as you stated, the lady at the permit office was very nice and helpful. I put down "personal protection" as the reason on my permit. My references all got their questionnaires a few days after I submitted the application (they did NOT need to be notarized, just completed and signed), I had the electronic fingerprinting down a couple of weeks ago.
 
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Yeah, the map is a little off - Niagara County issues unrestricted permits as long as you put "personal protection" down as a reason for wanting to Carry Concealed. If you put down hunting and target practice as your reasons, then Niagara County will give you your wish and grant you a restricted hunting/target permit. I was just curious as to how long people waited in Niagara County to actually receive their permits, I've read that some got them in as little as 45 days, while others waited closer to 6 months (especially those who live in the cities of Niagara Falls or North Tonawanda). Fortunately I live in a very rural part of Niagara County (Pendleton).
 
I've read that some got them in as little as 45 days, while others waited closer to 6 months (especially those who live in the cities of Niagara Falls or North Tonawanda). Fortunately I live in a very rural part of Niagara County (Pendleton).
Click to expand...

I received a full unrestricted carry permit in 58 days and my wife got her's in 60 days and we live in Niagara Falls. That was several years ago. I have heard that the wait times have increased somewhat recently, but the times were still well below 6 months. The biggest problem is the detectives who do the interviews also solve crimes. Lots of crime=heavy work load=your permit sits on a desk until things cool off. At least in NF, there is not a dedicated officer to do interviews. Chris, since you live in Pendleton, Niagara County Sheriffs Department handles everything.
 
wnycollector - one of the Sheriffs lives right down the road from me, perhaps I'll have the chance to meet a neighbor over the next few weeks or months. Do you know off-hand if the Sheriffs always do interviews at the applicant's home, or do they call? Someone told me awhile back that the Sheriffs office handles interviews over the phone only, but it would be cool if my Sheriff neighbor ended up stopping by my place to interview me. I'll be extremely satisfied if I get a permit in the mail within 60 days, but I'm not holding my breath...
 
Move to rural Alabama. You walk into the sheriff's office pay your $10.00 and walk out 5 minutes later with a concealed carry permit.
 
Unlike Alabama, NY doesn't respect 2nd Amendment rights. Handgun ownership and use is a "privilege" here. Really hoping the latest Federal 2nd Amendment rulings shoot down (no pun intended) the BS that everyone has to deal with in NY when it comes to applying for a pistol permit. It's a total joke, and a real hassle.
 
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