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Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:43:39 -0400
Subject: Erie County Pistol Permit Character References
From: scope.erieco.ny@gmail.com
To:

To all Erie County Members:

1. In order to apply for a pistol permit in Erie County, you must be 21 years of age and be a resident of Erie County. You are not required to buy or own a gun at the time of application. (but you will be required to purchase or co-register one later in the process)
2. Applicants must have instruction in the safe handling of firearms from a certified instructor, and proof of such training must be submitted with the application. The NRA ‘Basic Pistol’ Course fills this requirement.
3. If you have been arrested, or charged with any offense except minor traffic infractions (speeding or stop signs), you must complete a certificate of disposition with your application. Certificates of disposition can be obtained from the Court where your case was heard. They consider your failure to disclose any criminal charge, (even if dismissed and sealed), sufficient cause to deny your application.
4. Obtain an Erie County application packet. This will contain your bifold application, as well as two cardstock New York State application/fingerprint cards. Many of the NRA Instructors Provide this packet, as well as assistance in completing it with their ‘Basic Pistol’ course. You can also obtain it by mail by sending a self addressed, stamped envelope to: Erie County Clerk’s Office
   Pistol Permit Department
   92 Franklin Street
   Buffalo, NY 14202
5. Fill in your application packet (With Black Ink Only) leaving the signature sections blank (it needs to be signed in the presence of a notary) The spaces labeled ‘License Number’, ‘County Issue’, ‘Code’, ‘Date of Issue’, ‘Expiration Date’, and ‘NYSID Number’ are to be left blank.
   
6. Obtain 4 Character references. (it would be in your best interest to choose character references who are reachable by telephone during normal business hours (9-5).
   Erie County states that they preferably live in your city, town, or village. Some police departments however, change this should, to a must. Such Departments include: Cheektowaga, and Tonawanda.
   
7. Have your 4 character references fill out all of their information on both of the card stock application sheets.
   
8. Have 4 Passport Size photos taken, Print your name on the backside of each of the four photos. (These are for your background check, the pistol permit clerks will take another (digital) picture at the end that will appear on your license)
   
9. Have your application Notarized. This can be done at just about any bank, and several of the ladies at the pistol permit office are also notaries, but the lines are shorter at the bank.
10. Obtain a US Postal Service Money Order, for the Amount of:  $105.25 This fee is for processing fingerprint inquiries.
    
11. You now must appear in person at the Erie County Pistol Permit Office. You will submit your completed, notarized application, your money order, passport photos, and proof of marksmanship training. They will stamp the two cardstock applications, give them back to you(with two additional fingerprint cards) and instruct you to contact your local police department for fingerprinting.
    
12. If you live in the City of Buffalo, or of you live in a town or village without a police department, You need to be fingerprinted at the Erie County Sheriff’s ID Department: 134 West Eagle Street, Buffalo NY . Their Hours are Monday – Thursday 8:15-11:45AM and 1:00-3:00PM
    If you live in any other town, call your local police department, and request an appointment to be fingerprinted for a pistol permit.
    Agencies do charge a fee for fingerprinting, and the cost varies by agency. Some agencies will return the fingerprint cards to the pistol permit department, some agencies require that you take it back.
    
13. Wait while your fingerprints are sent to the FBI.
14. After your fingerprints are returned from the FBI, your paperwork is sent back to the local police department. They perform a background check and your references are contacted.
    
15. Once the investigation is completed your application is sent to your county’s Pistol License office and then forwarded to the Judge for review and decision.
    
16. The paperwork will be again returned to the Pistol License office and they will send you a letter informing you of the outcome.
17. Once receiving this letter, you now have 60 days to purchase (or coregister) a handgun, and have your license validated. If you fail to meet this deadline, they consider your application ‘withdrawn’.
    If purchasing a Handgun, You will select a handgun, pay for it, obtain the receipt from the dealer or private owner you are purchasing from, but you can not take the firearm home with you, you must leave it with the seller.
    If co-registering a handgun, you must have the owner of the pistol make a photocopy of his pistol permit, and write you a letter giving you permission to co-register specific firearms. The initial validation costs $20.00, and includes co-registration of up to 5 handguns.  Each additional firearm costs 3$ (there are different fees involved once you already have a license for adding and deleting pistols, and they are charged differently)
18. If approved, you will have to go to the Pistol Permit Office to have your license validated. Bring the letter you received, the purchase receipt or co-register letters, and the $20.00 fee.
19. You will now give the clerks an electronic image of your thumb-print, and they will take a digitized photo of you, both of which will be printed on your license.
20. The Actual license will be mailed to you.
21. Once your license comes in the mail, the firearms registered, or co-registered to you will be listed on the reverse side of your license. Take your new license back to the shop, or seller that you purchased the hangun from, and now that the pistol appears on your license, you may finally take possession of it.
    
22. You are now a legal handgun owner in New York State.

In the comments, I’d be interested in hearing details about when you applied for your pistol permit, and how long it took. (Information about what Police department was responsible for processing your paperwork would also be useful to those looking to obtain permits)