Sights on Target
New member
I decided to write a letter to Senator Bonacic today regarding New York's prohibition on live fire training before obtaining a pistol permit. New York only allows for a minor aged 14-21 to shoot a handgun without having a permit. I would like to see this extended to all individuals under the supervision of a NRA Instructor. While I would really like to see the entire pistol permit process in New York fixed, I feel that is a separate issue than training. Here is a copy of the letter I wrote today, and I encourage everybody to write a letter to their Senator and/or Assemblyman regarding this. Here is a copy of the letter I wrote.
Sights on Target
PO Box 4402
Kingston, NY 12402
Senator John J. Bonacic
Room 508 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12247
Dear Senator Bonacic,
I am writing you to inform you of a situation that is occurring in New York regarding pistol shooting and pistol permits. I am a NRA Certified Instructor, and I teach the NRA Basic Pistol Class that many counties have adopted as a requirement for obtaining a pistol permit. The NRA Basic Pistol Course consists of an eight-hour lecture on safety and shooting, and a mandatory “live fire” session in order to successfully complete the class. New York State Law prohibits a person from essentially touching a pistol if that individual does not have a permit, and if the firearm is not specifically listed on their permit. This law makes teaching a full class technically illegal, although many counties require it. No other state that I am aware of handles pistol shooting in this way. Section 1, Paragraph 7-e of subdivision of section 265.20 of the penal law does make an exception to this law. It allows minors between the age of fourteen to twenty-one to handle and shoot a pistol in the presence of a NRA Certified Instructor or a Parent. This bill was S-2742A, and Governor Pataki signed it into law in 2006. In order to facilitate a more effective training session as required by numerous counties in New York, I would like to see this exception extended to cover any individual who is qualified to handle and shoot a pistol in the presence of a NRA Certified Instructor. This would by no means interfere with the current pistol permit issuing criteria, but allow an applicant to have actual live fire training before taking possession of a pistol under their New York State Pistol Permit if and when granted. I would like to see a bill sponsored that would allow for complete and adequate handgun training in the great State of New York. I thank you for you time and consideration in this matter.
Respectfully yours,
Sights on Target
PO Box 4402
Kingston, NY 12402
Senator John J. Bonacic
Room 508 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12247
Dear Senator Bonacic,
I am writing you to inform you of a situation that is occurring in New York regarding pistol shooting and pistol permits. I am a NRA Certified Instructor, and I teach the NRA Basic Pistol Class that many counties have adopted as a requirement for obtaining a pistol permit. The NRA Basic Pistol Course consists of an eight-hour lecture on safety and shooting, and a mandatory “live fire” session in order to successfully complete the class. New York State Law prohibits a person from essentially touching a pistol if that individual does not have a permit, and if the firearm is not specifically listed on their permit. This law makes teaching a full class technically illegal, although many counties require it. No other state that I am aware of handles pistol shooting in this way. Section 1, Paragraph 7-e of subdivision of section 265.20 of the penal law does make an exception to this law. It allows minors between the age of fourteen to twenty-one to handle and shoot a pistol in the presence of a NRA Certified Instructor or a Parent. This bill was S-2742A, and Governor Pataki signed it into law in 2006. In order to facilitate a more effective training session as required by numerous counties in New York, I would like to see this exception extended to cover any individual who is qualified to handle and shoot a pistol in the presence of a NRA Certified Instructor. This would by no means interfere with the current pistol permit issuing criteria, but allow an applicant to have actual live fire training before taking possession of a pistol under their New York State Pistol Permit if and when granted. I would like to see a bill sponsored that would allow for complete and adequate handgun training in the great State of New York. I thank you for you time and consideration in this matter.
Respectfully yours,