The individual named above has applied to the County Court for an Amended Pistol License. The applicant already possesses 4 handguns and has listed an additional 1 acquired handgun for a total of 5.

Before issuing the requested Amended Pistol License, the Court requires some assurance that the applicant has adequate, safe and secure storage facilities for these weapons.

The applicant should contact the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Pistol Permit Unit at 995-2709 to make arrangements to inspect said storage facilities as to their safety and security.

Originally Posted By Shqype:

I was under the impression that in Westchester you only had to have a gun safe on your 6th handgun. Can anybody clarify this?

Originally Posted By scolist:
Are there any other counties in NY that have that same policy?

Originally Posted By scolist:

Are there any other counties in NY that have that same policy?

The inspection requirement is a point of controversy. At this time it is mandatory. The inspection will
be carried out by an officer from the Department of Public Safety. You will be asked questions about
your storage, alarm, locks, etc, and most likely the officer will ask to see the safe.

Our position is that the inspection constitutes an illegal search because it is not done under
authority of a search warrant, probable cause of criminal activity, nor a court order. We must advise
(although this communication is not to be construed as legal advice) that once you allow the officer on the premises
any other "issue" which is seen could be involved since you consented to the "search".

We continue to negotiate with the County for the removal of this stipulation, especially in light
of recent US Supreme Court rulings. Until such time as the County agrees to stop the inspections, or
we end up in court, you will have to undergo it.

Originally Posted By Shott8283:

i can tell you that my county has no such authority to inspect someones house based on a 2nd amendment issue without a warrant.

Originally Posted By P400:
How did 5 become the magic number?

Originally Posted By eddiegunks:
why not get a small safe, carry it to the porch and wait for him to come, point to the safe and be done with it. (tell him normally it is bolted to the floor)

Westchester gun owners are balking at the county's firearm safety laws.

With the echo of the Supreme Court decision upholding the Second Amendment right to bear arms still ringing in their ears, they want the county to stop scrutinizing applicants for permits and licenses.

Scott Sommavilla, president of the Westchester County Firearm Owners Association, criticized police for using "no-knock" (if need be) search warrants issued by local judges.

The warrants allow police to enter homes - by force if needed - to verify weapons listed on permit applications are safely stored.

"This is an invasion of privacy and denies a gun owner's civil rights," charged Sommavilla, who met Monday with county legislators and state Supreme Court Justice Alan Scheinkman to review the county's gun law.

Legislator Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh), who authored the law 10 years ago, called the searches prudent in cases in which owners had more than five guns.

"It bears on judges to issue handgun licenses and additional permits. They want to know what the circumstances are, how the guns are stored," Abinanti said.

Unlike New York City, which requires renewal of gun licenses and permits every two years, Westchester requires it every five years.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling also upheld the right to possess a firearm inside a person's home for self-defense. But the county is sticking to its gun storage law, which mandates the use of trigger locks or that guns be stored in a locked space. Some gun owners say the rules make it impossible for them to defend themselves.

Charles Timlin, who, with his wife Rita, owns the RT Smoke & Gun gun shop in Mount Vernon, said the county law favors criminals.

"If my home is being invaded by a criminal carrying an illegal gun, do I ask him to wait so I can unlock my gun and protect my family, or do I get killed?" he asked.

Timlin's shop requires gun permit applicants to take classes and be fingerprinted, photographed and investigated by police.

"The problem is that the criminal doesn't have to lock up anything, but the person who's not a criminal - the legal firearm owner who goes through all the testing - is the one who is always the target," he said.

Westchester Legislator Martin Rogowsky (D-Harrison), chairman of the county's Public Safety & Security Committee, said regardless of the Supreme Court ruling, Westchester will not change its gun law.

"The game plan is to do nothing. The laws on our books are lawful. Why should we play judge on a law that we voted for?"

Originally Posted By secamp32:
Make sure the guns are unloaded and that no ammo is nearby.

Originally Posted By 45stops-em-quick:


I believe that NYC does, however, they don't require a home inspection, just a receipt for a safe, and/or a picture of said storage safe.

Originally Posted By burlysoldier:

That is correct. I had to show bill of sale and two pictures of the safe (opened and closed).

Originally Posted By rkbar15:


Welcome to the NYPD kindergarten class of pistol licensing. Did you show the BOS and pics during the "Show & Tell" hour at the puzzle palace?

Originally Posted By Shqype:
Does anybody have the text of the law that authorizes them to conduct these inspections? I couldn't find it in the Westchester County Code.

Originally Posted By rkbar15:


The WC security inspection requirement was in effect many years prior to the enactment of the safe storage law. Several NY COA decisions have authorized pistol licensing officers the authority to place restrictions on pistol licenses as long as the restrictions/regulations are not arbitrary/capricious.

Originally Posted By Shqype:

I thought it was the judge that determined restrictions and not the pistol licensing officer ...