I'm not so sure that there is anything we can do to fix the situation with the length of time it takes to get permits in Erie County. They have created a system that takes entirely to long to complete. If we were to file some sort of suit or run to the news I doubt we would get anywhere. The reason I say this is that there are to many agencies involved( Erie Count Pistol Permit, FBI, All the local Police Departments, the Judge who signs off on it, Departments in Albany and possibly many others. I doubt any news agency or lawyer would want to take on such an ordeal. I'm afraid any mass complaints would just slow the process any more and frankly piss those involved with approvals off, resulting in the denials of permits for the smallest(but justifiable) reasons. Sorry for the negative outlook but I'm afraid they have us over a barrel and all we can do is wait it out. Good luck to everyone and I hope the process goes quickly.
Erie County, NY Pistol Permit Application Process
- Thread starter porcupine73
- Start date
The sign off won't work. First, it sounds too aluminum foil helmet like. But more importantly, TV stations want live bodies.
If someone who has been approved but has not yet received their permit called Al Vaughters of WIVB and offered to tell their story on air, and reminded him that the Supreme Court hears oral argument in McDonald v. Chicago on march 2, he would probably pitch it to his editors. but timing is everything, after March 2 the story won't be of much interest again until late june when the court renders it opinion.
I'm glad there are a few others that agree with me! No w we just need to organize, no form letters they may be more prone to do something if each letter is a little unique! It's a disgrace that we have to take extra steps, but this department and their shortcomings must be exposed!
But on another note, I did finally yesterday get my real card in the mail. Well over 14 months after my initial application!
But on another note, I did finally yesterday get my real card in the mail. Well over 14 months after my initial application!
I may have " taken one for the team" on this one. Over the weekend I e-mailed EC Clerk Kathy Hochul and outlined my experience with the EC PPB ( 11 months and counting ). I approached her in a professional and polite manner but pointed out; a.) the current length of time for the application process, b.) procesing times in other NY counties are much shorter and that c.) based upon the number of applications that are purportedly being received by the PPB each employee in the office is processing just under 2 applications per day.
I asked for, but never expected a response. But low and behold there was a message on my cell phone this morning from Mrs. Hochul asking me to call her back and discus my application.
I will post the results of my conversation with Mrs. Hochul later today.
PS. I did mention to her my fear of retribution from the EC PPB employees should they find out that I expressed my concerns to her and asked that she keep my correspondence confidential. We'll see what happens.
I spoke with Kathy Hochul this morning. First let me say that she seems genuinely concerned about the problems at the PPB and she outlined some of the things she is planning to do to get the entire process down to four months.
Things discussed:
She told me that th last full year prior to NOBAMA's election the PPB had a total of 700 applications, after his election 3000.
There's a tendency for the clerks to wait on walk in customers who are making amendments to their existing permits instead of processing new applications. This is being addressed.
The office supervisor's wife is ill and has required him to only work part time over the year. While that cat's away the mice will play.
The software that processes the actual permits cannot keep up with the increased volume of permits.
They have to use standard typewriters.
Other counties only use their county sheriff department for reference checks, Erie County uses local PD's.
What she's planning on doing.
Next week she and her staff are taking a road trip to Monroe County to see how they do things and to see if they can incorporate some of Monroe Counties procedures to streamline EC's operation.
She is attempting to get a software upgrade to help process more permits faster.
She has authorized overtime for the PPB staff.
She has allocated additional staff to the PPB to help with the backlog.
Longer term, she is hoping to implement an all electronic system to dramatically improve processing times.
Mrs Hochul agreed that the current situation in "unacceptable" and needs fixing. She also mentioned that she responded to my e-mail because it wasn't sent anonymously and included a contact number. She also said that she will respect anyones request for confidentiality and not disclose you name to the employees at the PPB. In addition, Mrs Hochul stated that she would be happy to receive constructive suggestions from any citizen.
I don't know if my chat with Mrs Hochul will make the process any faster, but perhaps if enough people approach her in a professional manner she can continue to pressure the PPB to improve it's performance.
She also said that if things didn't improve "heads will roll".
Send her an e-mail and express your concerns. ( with your name, phone number and request for confidentiality )
permitinNYtakesayear
New member
Interesting. I was also contacted. Permit arrived the next day. It only took 14 month.
One question for Ms. Hochul: There are seven people in this office and before Obama they STILL took 8 to 12 months to process 700 applications in a YEAR? That works out to 70 applications per employee per YEAR. Three thousand applications for 7 employees is not a heavy work load. There are people on this forum who could do 5 times that number without breaking a sweat. Did you mention the rude behavior from the employees? Especially the women?
Thanks for your effort. Now that "overtime" has been authourized, maybe the permits will start flowing. That's what it's all about when it comes to county workers.
One question for Ms. Hochul: There are seven people in this office and before Obama they STILL took 8 to 12 months to process 700 applications in a YEAR? That works out to 70 applications per employee per YEAR. Three thousand applications for 7 employees is not a heavy work load. There are people on this forum who could do 5 times that number without breaking a sweat. Did you mention the rude behavior from the employees? Especially the women?
Thanks for your effort. Now that "overtime" has been authourized, maybe the permits will start flowing. That's what it's all about when it comes to county workers.
golocx4
Got Beretta's?
Good stuff mjb1956
trophyhunter
New member
MJB1956,
We all thank you for taking one for the team. It shows your deadication. Please let us know when you finally get your permit. that way we can see if your Conversation with Mrs. Hochul helped. and, she really does what she says she is going to do
We all thank you for taking one for the team. It shows your deadication. Please let us know when you finally get your permit. that way we can see if your Conversation with Mrs. Hochul helped. and, she really does what she says she is going to do
Sights on Target
New member
Glad to hear things are looking better.
Great job! From my prior posts, I have spoke with Hocul as well as Will Fowler and had tried to contact various other public officials, but Hocul was the only true public official to respond to me as well. She offered various explanations and so did Will Fowler, but the process has been broken for a long, long time and I truly dont know if it can be fixed with some of the current staff in the pistol dept. I seen another post saying that diving into this could be a bad thing and piss off people, well damn it, we need to piss off some people! It's letting the status quo ride that is taking not only this process with it, but so many other things in out localities, state and fed gov... If we dont speak up and make others aware then we will be stuck with what we have now. Red tape to no end and nobody wanting to do anything about it. we are the only ones that can institute reform, to pressure our officials is our right, it's why we elect them, to do what the people need! I myself will continue to send e-mails, snail mails, post to blogs, boards, etc to get my views across, but for one thing to get done it needs support, and the community here are the supporters! If you havent, send an e-mail and be truthful with your name, as an official is much more likely to respond to someone who can cast a vote for them, or for the person who appoints them!
Received approval letter !
I don't know if my e-mail to or conversation with Kathy Hochul had anything to do wiyh it but I received my approval letter today. It's kind of coincidental that the date of my approval letter was the same day as my phone conversation with Mrs. Hochul.
Called the PPB after I received the letter, 6-8 weeks to receive the physical permit.
Best wishes to everyone who's still waiting!
I don't know if my e-mail to or conversation with Kathy Hochul had anything to do wiyh it but I received my approval letter today. It's kind of coincidental that the date of my approval letter was the same day as my phone conversation with Mrs. Hochul.
Called the PPB after I received the letter, 6-8 weeks to receive the physical permit.
Best wishes to everyone who's still waiting!
12/30/09 Attended NRA Marksmanship/Safety class, got app and photo for app ($55.00)
01/06/10 Turned in app.
01/06/10 Electronically fingerprinted and photographed for the license (@FFL; $106.00)
Word from FFL: "It's only taking about 6-7 months lately."
02/24/10 No word on anything. Patiently waiting. References have not yet been called.
01/06/10 Turned in app.
01/06/10 Electronically fingerprinted and photographed for the license (@FFL; $106.00)
Word from FFL: "It's only taking about 6-7 months lately."
02/24/10 No word on anything. Patiently waiting. References have not yet been called.
lurchmuffins
New member
ok so i just called there office and ask if they fingerprint and took the photo at the office, the say no and tell me to go one of the pre approved places for that, me being new to buffalo/orchard park i ask where that would be, they tell me they dont know and to look it up online? can anyone help? i have my app all filled out all i need in the finger prints and photo to hand into the office
what office did you call? I think you got incorrect information
Erie County takes your photo for $10 when you submit your application. Then they give you one photo and your fingerprint card with instructions to take it to either your local police (if your local police do the finger printing) or the Erie County Sheriff's Department (if your local police don't do fingerprinting.)
In either case, you'll want to make an appointment for the fingerprinting.
permitinNYtakesayear
New member
I assume you took the madatory safety course? Most of these places take the photos for you as part of the fee for the course. You need passport type photos. I suggest the Yellow Pages. Buffalo Gun Center give the course several times a month but there are many others.
You may want to read the instructions carefully on the application to save yourself some headaches. Getting a simple hunting/target permit in Erie County NY takes well over a year. See my user ID name? I did everything right and it still took me 14 months. The prints are done at the Sheriffs office downtown when you turn in your initial app. they will tell you where to go when you turn in your papers at the pistol permit office. Hope this helps and good luck. Question: Why would anyone move here? Most are going the other way.
Starting in Dec '09 the local police depts are no longer allowed to handle the fingerprints for your pistol permit application. There are several designate locations that have been arranged and they will now zing you a nice fee for doing you that favor.(I don't know if this is a state thing our just Erie Co.) I don't have the info in front of me but if no one else chimes in I will get back here in a day or two with it.
take your safety class. they take photo there. use that photo and hand in your app at county hall. they'll look over your paperwork, then give you a list of places to go. but you have to call the main number on the sheet and use your 'reason code' to make an appointment. on that phone call, you pick the location and schedule an appt. the Delaware ave location is like a week wait usually.
make sure your postal money order (only postal m.o.) is for exactly $106.00. bring that to the appt.
make sure your postal money order (only postal m.o.) is for exactly $106.00. bring that to the appt.
