I submitted my app in March of 2011 and I received my permit in October of 2012, in a way I didn't mind the wait because I was battling cancer, but what really pissed me off was getting my license to carry with the words HUNTING AND TARGET, I have friends in other counties that got theirs earlier and unrestricted, I am a 55 year old man I'm not a kid I see no reason why I should not get a unrestricted license, this is pure crap!
Erie County, NY Pistol Permit Application Process
- Thread starter porcupine73
- Start date
Mine has been sitting back in Erie County for 2 months waiting for judge approval. I submitted my permit Jan 2nd and my local PD had the paperwork back to Erie County on Oct 1st. I called and they said it would be up to two more months last week. This process is just terrible in Erie County.
goosehunter
New member
Took the class in March, finally got my references and signatures and fingerprints done and turned in to the permit office in May, and I've been sitting here twiddling my thumbs ever since! It's pretty much December now and my girlfriend just got a questionnaire in the mail from the Cheektowaga PD yesterday asking about me (is your bf crazy YES or NO). I figured they would just call and ask a few quick questions. Now I'm at the mercy of my references filling this out and sending this in? Oh jeez this is ridiculous. So I'm guessing after they all send this in (probably by January if I bug them enough) I will then still need to have my interview and then have the Chief sign off on it. Then I think it goes back to permit office and then to the judge and then to Albany? Oh boy. How long do you guys think I'll be waiting on this thing?
golocx4
Got Beretta's?
It wouldn't hurt to stay on top of all of your references. 3 out of 4 returning the questionnaire is not good enough.
For anyone that has been waiting and you were told that they were waiting for the mental health check, here is the contact info. I suggest you call them and follow up.
New York State Office of Mental Health
44 Holland Avenue
Albany, New York 12229
1-800-597-8481
A toll free resource for questions or complaints about mental health services in New York State.
Once they get sick of the phone calls perhaps they will get off their butts. I mean all they have to do is run a query . Is a person with your name and dob in the Mental Health System - NO - make checkmark and return the packet.
The administrative quicksand is a legit complaint, but any delays caused by your references is your fault. They are your references. You picked them.
A little advise to others - don't use a girlfriend as a reference. Stick with references from social or business relationships. The amount of time between submission of the application and the investigative contact with your references is way to long to trust your ability to carry concealed to a romantic relationship that can change at any moment.
UncleWilley
New member
Newbie's wife & I applying for permits Erie County/East Aurora - any suggestions?
My wife and I took our Pistol Safety class this week and we are preparing our applications. After reading part of this thread it seems unlikely that we will likely end up with hunting target restrictions. Our instructor claimed that all of his students except 2 (early 20s) were able to get concealed which seems unrealistic considering what I have read. He provided suggestions as to wording for the reason for a concealed permit such as living in a rural area (we are 3 miles outside EA village), robberies in our area, my wife driving alone at night and coming home to an empty house (she uses a wheelchair from car to house). I assume using a reason such as concern about coyotes etc. while walking dogs won't fly? Are we wasting our time trying to justify concealed? Assume we'll get restricted license, assuming approval, and apply for unrestricted later?
Golocx4's explanation of the process is helpful.
QUESTION: I've heard from multiple sources that Niagara county issues permits in 4 or less months.
FYI, my personal experience with guns recently is limited to firing shotguns, 22 rifle, pellet pistol. Previous experience incl. one year on a 22 rifle team (long time ago) and 4 years USAF (1969-1973). Actually the USAF was a little bit like NY, unless you were sent to Vietnam, they didn't let you play with guns. My wife has shot skeet in the past, nothing recent.
My wife and I took our Pistol Safety class this week and we are preparing our applications. After reading part of this thread it seems unlikely that we will likely end up with hunting target restrictions. Our instructor claimed that all of his students except 2 (early 20s) were able to get concealed which seems unrealistic considering what I have read. He provided suggestions as to wording for the reason for a concealed permit such as living in a rural area (we are 3 miles outside EA village), robberies in our area, my wife driving alone at night and coming home to an empty house (she uses a wheelchair from car to house). I assume using a reason such as concern about coyotes etc. while walking dogs won't fly? Are we wasting our time trying to justify concealed? Assume we'll get restricted license, assuming approval, and apply for unrestricted later?
Golocx4's explanation of the process is helpful.
QUESTION: I've heard from multiple sources that Niagara county issues permits in 4 or less months.
- If that is the case, it would seem that step 3, local LEO reference checks etc. is the biggest delay. Is that correct?
- We are under the umbrella of the East Aurora police department. I assume EAPD would handle our ref checks etc.??
- Does it do any good to talk with them when you submit your application?
- Does it help or hurt to include a town council member as a reference?
FYI, my personal experience with guns recently is limited to firing shotguns, 22 rifle, pellet pistol. Previous experience incl. one year on a 22 rifle team (long time ago) and 4 years USAF (1969-1973). Actually the USAF was a little bit like NY, unless you were sent to Vietnam, they didn't let you play with guns. My wife has shot skeet in the past, nothing recent.
golocx4
Got Beretta's?
Message received:
NRA - SCOPE - NYSRPA count. Join a shooting club nearby like East Aurora or Allied or Elma. Shooting competition (NRA Match or PPC etc) also shoot Trap and Skeet. Firearm safety applied to rifles and shotguns as much as handguns. You want to show the Judge that you understand the responsibility and safety rules when it comes to firearms.
Don't skimp on any clubs or experiences, but don't lie either.
NRA - SCOPE - NYSRPA count. Join a shooting club nearby like East Aurora or Allied or Elma. Shooting competition (NRA Match or PPC etc) also shoot Trap and Skeet. Firearm safety applied to rifles and shotguns as much as handguns. You want to show the Judge that you understand the responsibility and safety rules when it comes to firearms.
UncleWilley
New member
golocx4
Thanks for the info!!
Re PPO handling mental health checks "soon". Is there any guess as to when that might occur? Would we be better to wait until that change happens vs. getting stuck in the current system?
Thanks for the info!!
Re PPO handling mental health checks "soon". Is there any guess as to when that might occur? Would we be better to wait until that change happens vs. getting stuck in the current system?
Don't be shy, I have had my permit for a few years now, but one month to the day of receiving it, I went into the Erie County office and applied for an unrestricted, stating my experience with hunting, target shooting, my involvement in a couple of local clubs and aspiring to teach some classes and sure enough a few weeks later my approval was in the mail. Never say never always worth the try!
ruger10/22
New member
Thanks for sharing your experience. That gives me hope.
FTWNY
New member
We agree that everyone should apply for an Unrestricted permit if that is what you want. If you get denied and get Hunting/Target, then you go back and ask to have that removed by showing that you have practiced and become more familiar with your handgun. We help everyone with the wording of their reason after they have brought it to us, this way it is still their personal reason and we just make suggestions and give advice. We have never given anyone a reason to ask for no restrictions, but we have a really high rate of students getting the Unrestricted permit. We will help anyone with their wording even if they did not take the class with us. It is never a sure thing to get an Unrestricted permit, but in time you will get it by following the right steps.
UncleWilley
New member
When you applied for unrestricted, did you need to appear before a judge to explain why you wanted unrestricted? I have been told by multiple people in Erie Country re appearing before a judge.
goosehunter
New member
No. State in detail your reasons on your upgrade application. If you have certificates from recent pistol courses, etc., attach copies. Generally you only go before the judge's law clerk for suspension/revocation hearings.
Nope, went into the office with the affidavit that I got notarized, waited a few weeks and got the letter that said I was approved for unrestricted, went back to the office for my new card and that was it. Never seen a judge during any part of the process at all.
Hey guys, any word on West Seneca? They have had my paperwork and another friend of mines paperwork for over 6 months. They still haven't contacted either of our references. I was going to call and see if they may need any more info from me and check on the status. Timeline: I put my paperwork into Erie county PPD in Jan. 2012. Also as of last month the PPD still has not received my mental health check from the state, they say there's a huge backlog.
UncleWilley
New member
skidoorev
Check out post #546. Info on contacting Mental Health to try to find out status of applications.
Check out post #546. Info on contacting Mental Health to try to find out status of applications.
Mine has been awaiting final approval back in Erie County since October. The lady said they are swamped when I called last. My PD had it back to Erie County on Oct 2nd. So over 2 months waiting for the judge to sign it and for them to send back my permit. My local PD had mine about 6 months as well before they approved it and checked my references etc. I started the process Jan 2nd 2012. I am really hoping it comes soon as this process is Long and drawn out.
UncleWilley
New member
Submitted applications
My wife and I submitted our pistol permit applications today. Finger prints scheduled for Wednesday so I guess that really starts the process. Now we being the loooong wait.
Question: I've heard conflicting comments about trying to check the status of our applications as time goes by. For example, calling mental health in Albany to find out if they have the apps & possibly push it along. Others have cautioned that making such calls is more likely to get your app pushed to the bottom of the pile or "lost". Any thoughts? We know we have a long wait and probably longer after last weeks horrific disaster.
My wife and I submitted our pistol permit applications today. Finger prints scheduled for Wednesday so I guess that really starts the process. Now we being the loooong wait.
Question: I've heard conflicting comments about trying to check the status of our applications as time goes by. For example, calling mental health in Albany to find out if they have the apps & possibly push it along. Others have cautioned that making such calls is more likely to get your app pushed to the bottom of the pile or "lost". Any thoughts? We know we have a long wait and probably longer after last weeks horrific disaster.
