In NYS it is illegal to handle a pistol without a permit, technically this applies to gun stores as well.  Kind of ironic as Onondaga County requires you to purchase a pistol before you apply for a permit - to demonstrate you are actually going to get a pistol rather than just have a permit in case you want one.  The obvious question being how do you know if the pistol will comfortably fit your hand if you can't even hold it until you receive your permit.  In my pistol permit course taught by a Deputy Sheriff, the Deputy passed several pistols around the class to show the difference between a pistol and revolver.  He put one on my desk and I sat there looking at it.  He laughed and said if I was scared of handling a pistol why was I getting a permit.  I shot him a wiseassed look and said, "are you inducing me to break the law sheriff?  You know damn well its illegal for me to touch that without a permit."  He was incredulous because he knew I was right.  Suddenly you could hear like 6 pistols being put down on desks and he had to walk around the room collecting them.  Don't think he was too happy about that.