Erie County, NY Pistol Permit Application Process

[FTWNY]

. I am preparing for a solid 12-18 month process but would like to know, rather than risking being completely denied shall I only go for a target/hunting permit and in time upgrade to a full unrestricted?

The process has been taking longer as the amount of applicants has gone up recently along with cutbacks to the staff that works on the Mental Health checks and the Judge covering for another ill Judge. It seems that permits are taking anywhere from 7 to 14 months. If permits are taking longer it is because of references that do not respond immediately, or local PD that do not have the manpower to get these done quicker.

As for applying for the unrestricted, it does not hurt your chances or slow the process to apply for unrestricted. When the application hits the judges desk, it just takes his time to read and make the determination as to if you get the unrestricted or the hunting/target. No where in the process does any more time get spent on you applying for unrestricted or hunting/target. If you have experience with firearms and you have a reason that is personal to you and plausible, you should apply for unrestricted. If you do not have either of these, you can apply for hunting/target and go back in one year after your permit is issued and try to have them removed. If you try removing restrictions within one year, you should have a certificate from a live fire class or some proof that you have practiced and become familiar with your firearm.

 

[zeke1975]

I can confirm what FTWNY is telling you. It's exactly what I did. Applied for unrestricted permit 5/10 (I live in the Town of Hamburg, they did a very prompt background investigation), got a target/hunting permit 10/10. I then took a couple of live fire classes, submitted my upgrade application/letter 5/11, 6/11 received my unrestricted permit.

 

[Countryboy82]

I can confirm what FTWNY is telling you. It's exactly what I did. Applied for unrestricted permit 5/10 (I live in the Town of Hamburg, they did a very prompt background investigation), got a target/hunting permit 10/10. I then took a couple of live fire classes, submitted my upgrade application/letter 5/11, 6/11 received my unrestricted permit.

Wow zeke - it only took your entire process 5 month from the initial application date to the date you received your permit (with hunting/target restrictions) and another 8 month to remove all restrictions?! That's a pretty quick turn around time. If I may ask, did you have a lot or prior experience / training prior to you applying or is itwe're fortunate to have an efficient P.D that was able to process their end of the paperwork quickly? My class with FTWNY is in 2 weeks in hamburg so I will keep you posted on how the process goes in 2012

 

[lobo519]

So my local PD interviewed me and contacted my references. It goes to the judge now right? Any insight as to how long the judge usually takes and I get my letter?

 

[FTWNY]

So my local PD interviewed me and contacted my references. It goes to the judge now right? Any insight as to how long the judge usually takes and I get my letter?

You are in the final stretch, we really cannot give you an answer with any kind of accuracy. You could have your permit in 4 to 12 weeks which is the average, but it has been taking slightly longer due to factors such as the amount of permit applications skyrocketing.

 

[rchery59]

lobo, I'll give you a time line which may or may not help you. My wife and I applied for our permits in april 2011, printed by march 5th . Our references were contacted and our interviews were done by oct 15th 2011. (I believe the delay was due to the amherst PD backlog, New officer conducting background checks) From there we got our letters about feb 1st 2012. By the way, don't be afraid to apply for unrestricted. My wife and I both got unrestricted permits right away. We are a bit older (alright we are just old) so I'm sure that weighs in along with the fact I have quite a bit of experience with firearms. We also gave good sound reasons to need an unrestricted permit. Be patient and polite with the permit dept. They have , in my experience been pretty efficient and helpful. Keep in mind the workload they have with the flood of new applicants and gun purchases.

 

[zeke1975]

Wow zeke - it only took your entire process 5 month from the initial application date to the date you received your permit (with hunting/target restrictions) and another 8 month to remove all restrictions?! That's a pretty quick turn around time. If I may ask, did you have a lot or prior experience / training prior to you applying or is itwe're fortunate to have an efficient P.D that was able to process their end of the paperwork quickly? My class with FTWNY is in 2 weeks in hamburg so I will keep you posted on how the process goes in 2012

No special background or training. No law enforcement or Military training. The detective called me within a week of getting my packet from the Pistol Permit Office, I met with him the following Saturday, go the paperwork from him, had my references fill it out the following Monday (works out well, we have a notary in the office). I mailed all the paperwork back to HPD Tuesday, Called the Detective the following Monday, he said he'd already sent all my paperwork back to the county. Seemed pretty efficient. I highly recommend getting live fire training before applying to have your restrictions removed though. Shows them you're serious about safety and training. Good luck, I hope the process goes well for you! By the sounds of it there are some slowdowns in Albany.

 

[goosehunter]

"By the way, don't be afraid to apply for unrestricted."

That's 100% correct. If you want an unrestricted apply for it. The worst that can
happen is that you receive a target & hunting permit. Some instructors are telling applicants to first apply for a target & hunting permit and then immediately apply for an upgrade. WRONG! People are coming into the pistol permit office to pick up their new target & hunting permit and asking for an upgrade application.
This creates more work for the permit office & the judge.

 

[FTWNY]

"By the way, don't be afraid to apply for unrestricted."

This is true, if you get denied for unrestricted you will not get denied for a permit if you ask for Hunting/Target as well. This is why they ask you to circle one or more reasons. They want you to have Target/Hunting circled so that if you do get denied the Unrestricted permit you will still get a permit. I have no idea why anyone tells people you cannot apply for Unrestricted right away. I have had students who did not want Unrestricted and only asked for Target/Hunting, when they got there permit it was Unrestricted. Like I stated before, if you do not have a personal reason or experience, your chances are not that good. But I still tell people to apply for the Unrestricted anyway. If anyone has any specific questions, even if you were not one of our students, feel free to e-mail me directly.

james@ftwny.com

 

[JR63]

Southtowns fingerprinting

Countryboy,

I went for prints at a place on Ridge Rd in Lackawanna, next to the SWAT store. FYI when I called thier centeralized scheduling number I specifically asked if a credit / debit card was OK for payment and was told yes, it's fine. When I got to the actual location I was told no, need a postal money order, the good news is there's a Post Office right up the block and they do take a card ! I believe when scheduling the apointment I was offered places in W Seneca as well as E Aurora. so no trips up to the Northtowns required.

 

[zeke1975]

Countryboy,

I went for prints at a place on Ridge Rd in Lackawanna, next to the SWAT store. FYI when I called thier centeralized scheduling number I specifically asked if a credit / debit card was OK for payment and was told yes, it's fine. When I got to the actual location I was told no, need a postal money order, the good news is there's a Post Office right up the block and they do take a card ! I believe when scheduling the apointment I was offered places in W Seneca as well as E Aurora. so no trips up to the Northtowns required.

When I got my prints done in Lackawanna, I scheduled my appointment online and paid with a credit card that way. worked out well. I was able to make an appointment for the same day within an hour.

 

[JR63]

Zeke,

You are correct,they did tell me I could have paid by card when scheduling. Just can't do it on sight

 

[Countryboy82]

Thanks everyone for he insight on the finger printing process. Is it true that nowadays the finger prints have to be digitally done or is the ink process till active? Jut curious as I had asked a local police dept who stated on their website they offer free non criminal prints for residents. They responded by saying that was a mistake they needed to correct as the pistol dept requires applicants to go to a pre-selected site for digital prints.

 

[RottenII]

Fingerprints have to be done digitally. The bad news is it adds one more fee to the process. The good news is it speeds the process by several months.

 

[Countryboy82]

Any updates or news on how the Erie county process has been lately? I'm gong to the FTOWNY on Wednesday and can't wait for the new training experience.

 

[trophyhunter]

From what Information I have gathered from friends,and Co- Workers Average processing time for new Applicants is avereging 12-14 Months from start to finish. Good Luck, keep us informed.

 

[rchery59]

Countryboy82 , I just recieved my permit in early feb. My wife and I applied in late march of 11 ,prints in in early april. the process was delayed due to the person who did the mental health checks for the state retired right after we applied and the amherst police dept was slow in the reference checks. Just a bit of bad timing no big deal. Follow the instructions the permit dept gives you and you will have no issues. In my opinion the were efficient and great to deal with.
FTOWNY are great people, my wife and I used them for our Utah permits, they are a class act. More than I can say for the gun centers instructor, who I would compare to the bumbling aunt Clara from the bewitched show.
Don't get me wrong , the gun center is the benchmark for firearms stores but their training falls short.

 

[Taleras]

Any updates or news on how the Erie county process has been lately? I'm gong to the FTOWNY on Wednesday and can't wait for the new training experience.

It took me 5 months, here is my time line:
Safety class at SWAT store in Lackawanna 10/8/2011

Application submitted to Pistol Permit Office 10/10/2011

Finger Prints in Lackawanna 10/11/2011 (showed up for my appointment on 10/10 but their system was down was told to come the next day, make sure you have two forms of ID I made my original appt as I was leaving County Hall and was told to have two forms of ID so I had to run home for my passport.)

My references were contacted on 1/17/2012 and I was called for an interview on 1/18/2012.

My letter showed up 3/5/2012.

Purchased and registered my first firearm on 3/9/2012. Card was printed while I waited and I was able to take my gun home that day.

 

[ruger10/22]

Purchased and registered my first firearm on 3/9/2012. Card was printed while I waited and I was able to take my gun home that day.

Wow, that's great to hear they are printing cards on the spot. When I got a permit last year they told me to expect the card in the mail in four to six weeks but I actually received it in a week.

 

[golocx4]

Any updates or news on how the Erie county process has been lately? I'm gong to the FTOWNY on Wednesday and can't wait for the new training experience.

It all depends on which town you live in. Orchard Park PD does a great job. If you live in OP you can expect your process to be complete in 3 to 4 months.
If you live in a town without a PD and is patrolled by Erie Co Sheriff you will wait 11 to 14 months.
Depew asks your references to say something negative about the applicant. ( I suggest saying you don't like the color of his car)
Other towns vary by as much as 6 months to a year.
All of this is because of the laws are capricious and arbitrary so they can do what ever they want.
Remember all of this on Election Day. Sheriff is an elected position. Ask the Mayor of your town WTF is up the PDs skirt that it takes them so long.
Demand action.
Unfortunately we are all conditioned that CCW is doing something wrong or bad and they(the PD) will deny us if we make waves.
Then as soon as we get our Permit we will actually defend NY State laws as being very CCW friendly.