Considering how restrictive NYS is in comparison to most other states in the US in regard to legal gun possession, I figured that I'd post something that I found today on how CCW is dealt with on a county by county basis. The information was originally posted in late January of this year, so I'm pretty sure that it's still accurate. Just to note, this doesn't include every county, just the ones that the poster listed on the board where I found it. I'm fortunate enough to be in one county that issues only unrestricted permits.
NYS CCW by county.
Broome County
Cost: ~$120 for restricted, up to $370 for unrestricted
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 3 years residence in the county.
3.) 4 references who have known you for 3 years and who have also lived in the county for 3 years.
4.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
Process Time: I was told 6 months, but I got mine in 5 weeks and 2 co-workers got theirs in 6-7 weeks, so its definitely less. It depends on how fast your references fill out their questionnaire and how long the judge wants to let the permits stack up till he signs them.
Restrictions: Almost all PP's are initially issued as "hunting & target shooting only." UPDATE: Now that we have a new county judge, he is allowing folks to get unrestricted permits. I wrote to the judge asking for an unrestricted, I got a letter back telling me to take a $250 8-hour safety course taught by the City of Binghamton Police Dept. I then wrote him again and was approved. My co-worker who was from Texas and took the pistol defense course in Rochester got approved for unrestricted without having to take the $250 course. YMMV. Expect it to take a few months to get an answer back from the new judge
Purchasing: Purchase ticket system: Buy pistol, seller give you gun info, go to sheriff's office and get info added to your permit for $3, wait 1-2 weeks for purchase ticket in the mail, then go pick up pistol. Your first pistol purchase ticket is pre-signed, meaning you can purchase it the day you get it added to your permit.
Personal Experience: Two older women do all the paperwork in the ID dept, they are super nice and know the drill. Deputy Brady Rozelle is the LEO overseeing PP's and is also very friendly, knowledgeable, and seems very pro-2nd amendment.
Where to go: Broome County Sheriff's office
www.gobroomecounty...riff/SheriffID.php Chenango County
Pickup application at the Chenango County Clerks office. 5 Court St. Norwich, NY
Cost: when I applied
Purchase application: $10.00
Fingerprints: $30.00 at Sheriff Office
Background Check: $74.00 NYS Department of Criminal Justice.
Photographs: $12.00 "Passport quality"
Amendment Fee: $3.00 This is to add or remove a pistol. Up to 3 additions/subtractions per amendment if transfers are with the same person/business
Total: $130 Probably more now.
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 6 Months residence in the county.
3.) 4 references who have known you for 3 years
4.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
5.) 4 identical 2"x2" photos- they only use 3
Process Time: 3 to 9 months - I received mine in 6 weeks
Restrictions: Most permits are restricted. Not impossible to get un-restricted. Applicant typically will meet with Judge before he issues the permit. Handgun safety course required within one year. Restrictions like "pistol must be locked with a trigger lock or similar devise when not in use" will also be on permit, whether CCW or not.
Purchasing: Permit holder purchases pistol, goes to county clerks office and does an amendment, coupon is transferred to Judge for a signature, coupon is mailed to permit holder. Permit holder can then pickup the pistol. Friday must be the day he signs coupons. I've done amendments on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. I always receive the signed coupon the following Monday. Co-registering is not a problem. No-coupon needed
Personal Experience: I've never had a problem making an amendment. Lots of people to help and I’ve never waited more than 5 mins and the amendment is usually done quickly. A new permit card is issued at each amendment. It's nice not to carry the same card with crossed out pistols, wrinkles and general wear from being in my wallet. The judge who oversaw issuing when I got my permit was more liberal. Everybody received an unrestricted permit unless you asked. He also pre-signed the coupons so you didn't have to wait. I miss those days.
Where to go: Chenango County Clerk's Office. No online information at this time
Duchess County
Cost: ~$20 + $99
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 1/2 year residence in the county.
3.) 4 references who have known you for 1/2 year and who have also lived in the county for > 1/2 year.
4.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
Process Time: 3-6 months, may vary..
Restrictions: Permit not good in NYC. Unrestricted permit
Purchasing: Purchase ticket system: Buy pistol, seller give you gun info, go to sheriff's office and get info added to your permit for $3, wait 4-7 days for purchase ticket in the mail, then go pick up pistol.
Personal Experience: Duchess Co Pistol Permit staff gets three thumbs up.
Where to go:
http://www.co.dutc...G...pp.htm#meeting Monroe County
Cost:
Purchase application: $5.00
Fingerprints: $30.00 cash if Rochester resident, $15.00 cash if elsewhere in Monroe County
Background Check: $99.00
Photographs: $0.38 if you use a digital camera and online photo printer like walmart.com
Application Fee: $5.00
Total: $130-$140 plus parking
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 6 Months residence in the county.
3.) 4 references who have known you for 3 years - If you have not lived in Monroe county for 3 years then you must provide 4 references from Monroe County that have known you as long as you have lived here. Also 3 additional notarized references from persons who live in the state or county where you previously lived.
4.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
5.) 4 identical 2"x2" photos
Process Time: 6 to 9 months
Restrictions: Currently the vast majority of permits being issued are non restricted.
Purchasing: Still in the process
Personal Experience: Still in the process...so far it sucks compared to when I lived in NH and could get a $10 permit good for 4 years in 2 days.
Where to go: Monroee County Clerk's Office
www.monroecounty.g...-pistolpermits.php Nassau County
Cost: $200 application fee. $94.25 for fingerprints (this went down from $99 since May when I applied)
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 3 years residence in the county.
3.) 4 references who have known you for 3 years and who have also lived in the county for 3 years. Can't be current or retired LEO.
4.) Background check, mental health check & finger printing
Process Time: 6 months. So far I've been waiting just over 6, nothing yet.
Restrictions: I would assume that the vast majority are for Target\Hunting. There are new requirements for the business permit, they have been posted up on the website.
Purchasing: Need a non-specific weapon purchase document from the NCPD. It's good for the duration of the calendar year. You must appear at the PP section with the firearm purchased, the purchase document and a bill of sale within 10 days of purchase.
Personal Experience: Was expected to be treated like a future criminal, but the people were extremely nice and helpful and answered all of my questions.
Where to go: Nassau County Police Headquarters, 1490 Franklin Ave, Mineola, 11501
http://www.police....v...pplication.htm Niagara County
Cost: ~$200
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 4 references who have known you for 5 (may be 3) years.
3.) Background check & finger printing
Process Time: I was told 2 - 3 months, but I got mine in 6 months. It depends on how fast your references fill out their questionnaire and how long the judge wants to let the permits stack up till he signs them. I also had a reference not return the survey, so that delayed me by 3 months. Once the surveys were taken care of it took about 2.5 months.
Restrictions: None. They told me that Niagara County (generally) will issue a permit. They also only issue unrestricted permits.
Purchasing: Take your purchase coupon (that comes with your permit) to the gun center. They take it, and give you gun info and the firearm. You then have 10 business days to register your gun with the permit office. Thats it.
Personal Experience: Patty is the clerk at the office. She is really friendly and really knows her stuff.
Where to go: Niagara County Court House in Lockport.
Oneida County
Cost: ???
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) 1 years residence in the county.
3.) Show proof that you have had previous formal handgun training within the last three years. ( A certificate or letter from a N.R.A. Basic Pistol shooting course OR Active military ID or recent discharge papers OR Active police officer status or recently retired Correction officer with current qualification card.
Process Time: ???
Restrictions: From the Website: To Receive a "full carry" license or "unrestricted" license It is solely the licensing officers decision as to whether the applicant has demonstrated proper cause for the issuance of a carry license. As per PL400.(2)(F). Although additional training may be personally helpful it is not required to receive a carry license.
Purchasing: ???
Where to go: Oneida County Office Building, 800 Park Ave., Utica, NY 13501. Office hours: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Monday - Friday. Phone: (315) 798-5821
http://www.ocgov.n...d...s/applinfo.htm Onondaga County
Costs:
Application: $10
Application processing fee: $46.00
Fingerprinting fee: $94.25
Total application fee: $150.25
Amendment fees: flat $3.00/transaction
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) Resident of NYS/Onondaga County
3.) 4 references who live in Onondaga County
4.) Must attend a handgun safety course
Process Time: Can take up to 6 months and varies between license types. Onondaga is mostly electronic now, so on average it takes only a few weeks for approval. The exception is for an unrestricted license; it generally takes longer because it is under greater scrutiny.
Restrictions: Onondaga can issue a premise, a carry with regards to employment, and an unrestricted license. Like other counties Onondaga has its own license called a "Sportsman's." Essentially it is a full carry license that allows CCW while engaged in activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, target practice, and shooting sports. An unrestricted license is very difficult if not impossible to obtain.
Purchasing: Purchase ticket system. Buy your pistol at the dealer, fill out the 4473. Take the bill of sale to the Sheriff's office to have your license amended. Flat $3.00 fee regardless of how many guns are being added/removed. You receive a ticket signed by your issuing judge from the Sheriff's office. Take the ticket to your dealer to complete the transaction. It can be done as fast as you drive.
Other notes: Onondaga has 4 licensing judges. You never know who you're going to get when applying. Getting an unrestricted license in Onondaga is very difficult to do. If you apply for an unrestricted and are denied, you will default to a Sportsman's license if you are otherwise not prohibited from having a license.
Where to go: Onondaga County Sheriff's office website
www.ongov.net/Sheriff/pistol.html Putnam County
Cost: @$120
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) Must be Putnam resident for 6 months.
2.) 4 NY references who have known you for 3 years.
3.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
Process Time: It can take up to 4 months, but mine was done in about 10 weeks.
Restrictions: Initial licenses are "hunting & target shooting only." If you specifically ask for a license with no restrictions, i.e. 'full carry', you will have to go before one of the county judges and ask for it. Have no fear, the judge is a reasonable man.
Purchasing: Purchase ticket system: Buy pistol, seller give you gun info, go to sheriff's office and get info added to your permit for $3, wait 5 or so days and go pick up your coupon, or have it mailed to you. Your first pistol purchase ticket is pre-signed, meaning you can purchase it the day you get it added to your permit.
Personal Experience: Both the County Clerk's office and the Sheriff's department are friendly and helpful. There is no stigma attached to getting a pistol license in Putnam.
Where to go: Putnam County Sheriff's office
www.putnamsheriff.com/modules/news/ Ulster County
Cost: ~$105
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) not sure about residency length
3.) 4 references
4.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
Process Time: i was told 6 months, took eight, with repeated trips to the pistol permit office asking the ladies for updates...they are really friendly atleast
Restrictions: none
Purchasing: Buy the pistol, bring a receipt to the office, and get the purchase card the same day
Personal Experience: The two women there are really friendly and patient. But, they werent exactly helpful after the 10th trip in to ask about it, i went in basically ever 2 wks from month 4 on. The judge apparently lost my application and a couple others, so it took 8 months, and a phone call from my uncle who was friends with the judge. Shame on me for not using that connection sooner
Where to go: Ulster County Sheriff's office
Wayne County
Cost: ~$130
Eligibility Requirements:
1.) 21 years old
2.) residence in the county.
3.) 4 references who also live in the county.
4.) Background check, mental health check, & finger printing
5.) Need to have bought or have a pistol to put on your permit when applying.
Process Time: 2 weeks. The woman at the Sheriff's Dept. (Lynn) is a doll and very helpful. You need to pay up front and do your fingerprints when you go in, plan on 45 mins. AFTER your printed and pay you get the paperwork which you'll need to return to them. The Sheriff's Dept. is in the town of Lyons as is the County Clerk.
Both are very helpful over the phone as well.
Restrictions: None... I don't know of anyone in Wayne county with a restriction.
Purchasing: You buy the weapon and take the paperwork to the County clerk. They give you another permit and you fill it out adding a new picture ($10 if you don't have one) for $3. It's goes before the judge who signs it and then they mail it to you. When you get it, the coupon and new permit are together and you take that and pick up your new gun. A new permit form is issued with every pistol.
Personal Experience: Great all around. It was a pleasure dealing with each of the people at the CC and Sheriff's dept. They all seem to be on board with the 2nd amendment and good people in general. Only complaint I could even begin to have would be a 2 week wait for one of my amendments, but that's the worst thing I could say, and the initial permit came in 2 weeks.
