I live in Herkimer country, just submitted the paperwork yesterday.  I know it says 4-6 months, but how long does it really take?  I've heard of guys getting it in 2 or 3 months...

BTW, this process is a  BITCH....i've been fingerprinted more than a criminal, literally....

Mine took 10 months in 1996

Took me over 12 months. DO NOT call them and ask about it... they'll just delay it further.

Mine took exactly a year - but I'm a permanent resident. The INS check took 6 months according to the investigating officer. Unfortunately a year seems to be pretty normal now for US citizens (Clinton Cty).

I submitted mine on August 10, still nothing and closing in on 6 months pretty quickly...
getting fingerprinted in Monroe County is a pain in arse. plan on waiting a good whileHerkimer, I've stayed at the KOA there a few years ago...There was a great Ice Cream/Pizza place katy-corner to the Wally world if I am correct near "downtown" Herkimer...nice enough place.

Putnam said up to four months but had the permit to me in less than two.

Bleh...well that's all very disappointing...here's to hoping i get it before too long...

Mine took 6 months 2 years ago in Nassau County.  My wife's is now 8 months and counting.
They just want you to hear these horror stories so you won't go in and apply and they can eat donuts ALL day.  Stick it out !

Mine took 2.5 months, and I was shocked that I received it so quickly! Most of my references had pistol licenses, I've often wondered if that helped me. My investigating officer was pretty cool. The application process is a pain though.

Yeah, i'm definitely going to stick it out.  Get this tho- I have a security clearance from the Army (as is required for all officers) and even that doesn't count for the backround check! I guess i can be trusted with our nation's finest men and women (not to mentional millions of dollars worth of ordnance, weapons and equipment) but not a Kimber .45....
eeesh
I NY

Quoted: Mine took 2.5 months, and I was shocked that I received it so quickly! Most of my references had pistol licenses, I've often wondered if that helped me. My investigating officer was pretty cool. The application process is a pain though.

Where in NY?  What county?  Have long does Suffolk county usually take?

I have had a TS since 1984, updated every 5 or 6 years.  No matter. 6 months.  and they called not a single reference, not a single neighbor or coworker.  They called me and spoke to my wife while I stood over her.  Of course, Mohammed Atta would have had to have waited 6 months too I suppose...

Quoted: Where in NY?  What county?  Have long does Suffolk county usually take?

My Suffolk county permit took 1 day short of seven months.

Quoted: Where in NY?  What county?  Have long does Suffolk county usually take?

Suffolk County. Seriously, I have no clue how I got it so quickly. I thought it would take at least 6 months.

I got mine in <3 months in Chautauqua

2 1/2 months Ulster County four years ago.  Pretty gun friendly county.  You can purchase a handgun,  go to the sherif,  get your coupon and go back and pick up the gun on the same day.

Ulster had my application on Feb 22, I had my permit by the end of June.  Most of the time it was in Federal hands, the judge approved it within 1 day, unrestricted!

I received my permit for Schenectady Co in under 3 months about 2 years ago.  Theres been a dramatic increase in the number of permit applications over the last 2 years, and my buddy received his in just over 3 months.  The judge who resides now (differnet from the one who signed my permit) is in my opinion very progun.

Schenectady Co has streamlined the process.  Inital permits are on the original thin paper, but after you pick up a new handgun they issue you two new plastic cards, one with your permit, and a second one listing your handguns.  Also, the new judge no longer requires the additions to go before her, she simply has authorized the permit clerk to make the authorizations, provided the NICS and permit are current.  So instead of taking a week, and as in my wifes recent addition, its now 98% same day.

Also, based upon the "Judge's discretion" rule, writing a nice letter asking/giving reasons for the hunting and target restrictions be removed after some time, will now be addressed

Can you elaborate a little on this? I have a restricted permit and would be interested in getting them removed.

Quoted: Also, based upon the "Judge's discretion" rule, writing a nice letter asking/giving reasons for the hunting and target restrictions be removed after some time, will now be addressed

Sure Sgt. check your IM

Quoted: Can you elaborate a little on this? I have a restricted permit and would be interested in getting them removed.

Schedule an appointment with the issuing judge to present your argument why the restrictions should be lifted.
I tried that 15 years ago with mine, but it didn't do any good. The overstamp is still there. That judge is gone now, so I am considering trying again.

Quoted: Quoted: Where in NY?  What county?  Have long does Suffolk county usually take? Suffolk County. Seriously, I have no clue how I got it so quickly. I thought it would take at least 6 months.

Is Yapank (police headquarters) the only place to pickup the application?

Wife's character reference just got a call (Nassau County PD)
8 months and 2 days and who knows when the postcard actually comes.
Grin and bear it though, the only game in town.
Give little people the illusion of power and they take to it like our politicians.

I'm in Dutchess county.  Mine took right at 6 months in 2003.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Where in NY?  What county?  Have long does Suffolk county usually take? Suffolk County. Seriously, I have no clue how I got it so quickly. I thought it would take at least 6 months. Is Yapank (police headquarters) the only place to pickup the application?

Yaphank for the western 5 towns served by SCPD and the sheriff's office in Riverhead for the rest of the county.

Is Yapank (police headquarters) the only place to pickup the application?

As far as I know you can pick up the application at the front desk of any Suffolk PD precinct.

Quoted: Is Yapank (police headquarters) the only place to pickup the application? As far as I know you can pick up the application at the front desk of any Suffolk PD precinct.

Yes you can pick it up at any precinct. Has anyone seen the new application?  It's only the front & back of 1 page to fill out. Everything else is done on the computer when you go for the interview. Including photos.

Nassau County is still in the Stone Age.

Monroe County, 3 months and waiting patiently. ..

Damn it! Doesn't sound like I should even apply in Westchester County.

Here is my situation:

In 1997, when I was 17, I was caught with a loaded illegal gun in NYC after a fist fight. Stupid, I know. I pled guilty. The judge agreed to SEAL the case b/c of my age and I served 5 years on probation.

In the final 6 months of my probation, my X-girlfriend and I got into an argument and I broke up with her. She then called the cops and told them I hit her to screw up my probation. They arrested me eventhough they knew it was BS. The week before that her mother and I admitted her into an insane ward at the hospital b/c she tried to commit suicide--because I broke up with her. Needless to say, the case against me was dismissed.

I never so much as got a speeding ticket in my life or ever did anything but be a law abiding citizen and pay my taxes on time before and after that.

My family just bought a house in Westchester County so I was hoping to get a handgun license and own a handgun legally.

I'll be joining the Marines at the end of this year and I wanted to hone my handgun skills before that. I just bought my first AR15 and would like to have a handgun to practice with also.

What do you guys think? Guaranteed denial? Should I bother applying. It's $10 for the app, $99 for the processing, and $10 for the fingerprinting. The 12 pages of forms are sitting right in front of me on my desk.

IIRC, in Westchester you have to show proof of residency going back six months, THEN you can apply. Under normal circumstances it takes 3-5 months (2-3 weeks for retired LEO!)

The illegal gun is probably going to sink you, sealed records are not. Also, given that you "violated" the terms of your probation a mere three + years ago, that's going to be a red herring....since the probation ended when you were an "Adult" (22 yrs old).

At the risk of being a party pooper, if the (primary) reason why you are getting a permit is to hone your skills for the marines, don't.

/ml

Were you granted Youthful Offender status and your conviction(s) vacated? This is critical. You need to get certified copies of all your dispositions from the court if you don't already have them.

See this thread for more info: Help getting NYS (Westchester) pistol permit with a record

I'll bump it up so it doesn't go missing.

Quoted: At the risk of being a party pooper, if the (primary) reason why you are getting a permit is to hone your skills for the marines, don't.

Hey, you're not a party pooper. I asked and I want to know your honest opinion. I'm glad you shared it. Well, I also enjoy shooting. I've always enjoyed it. It's relaxing/exciting/fun all at the same time. Living in NYC all my life made it hard to own one legally. And whenever the oppurtunity to go shooting or hunting arose, I jumped at the chance and still do. I go to a public range in Rockland but I can't afford to continuously pay for range time/rental/expensive ammo.

Not to mention after all the chaos that went on in New Orleans after the floods, it would be a good idea to have access to a legal firearm for protection of you and your family. There were women being raped, people beaten, and even killed in the streets of New Orleans and I for one would not sit idlely for that type of behavior. I stand behind LEOs for protection (my buddy is a cop) but they can't be everywhere all the time, especially in disaster situations.

If you really think it's a waste of my time, maybe I'll give it a shot when I get back from the Marines...in 5 years. LOL. h=85%