I received an e-mail from a friend regarding a proposal in Governor Pataki's new budget to include new pistol/handgun license fees and to require that all applicants renew their license (and pay a fee) every five years..
It's time to contact your elected officials...
> New Pistol License Fees Proposed In Pataki Budget
> Plan:
>
> Part I - Establish a State licensing fee on pistol
> and revolver permits and an expiration date for all
> gun licenses.
>
> This bill imposes a State fee on pistol permits.
>
> Section 400.00 of the Penal Law is amended to impose
> State licensing fees on pistol permits. The fee
> schedule is as follows: a $100 fee is imposed on new
> and renewal pistol or revolver licenses; a $25 fee
> for each permit amendment; a $100 fee on gunsmith
> and dealer licenses; a $25 fee on duplicate
> licenses; and a $25 fee on license transfers.
> Additionally, caps on local fees are removed and
> such fees will be determined by the appropriate
> county legislature or the New York City Council.
>
> This bill also establishes a five-year expiration
> for gun licenses issued outside of New York City and
> Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, where
> permit expiration dates already exist. All current
> holders of lifetime licenses will need to have their
> licenses certified prior to February 1, 2005. These
> certifications will expire on a five-year prorated
> basis in accordance with a schedule determined by
> the Superintendent of State Police.
>
> This bill further amends the Penal Law to mandate
> that for the recertification of a gun license a
> National Instant Background Check System (NICS)
> search shall be conducted instead of requiring the
> resubmission of the applicant's fingerprints.
>
> Currently, local fees are authorized in statute for
> gun licenses. In New York City and Nassau County,
> local legislative bodies can establish a fee for a
> pistol license at any amount, whereas in counties
> outside of New York City and Nassau the fee must be
>
> between $3 and $10. Additional local fees for gun
> dealers, license amendments, duplicate licenses, and
> license transfers are defined. There are no current
> State fees.
>
> The expiration periods are also set in statute. In
> New York City, licenses are valid for three years.
> In Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties,
> licenses are valid for five years. In all other
> counties, gun licenses do not expire.
>
> With the information acquired through the new
> licensing process, the State Police will be able to
> maintain an updated database on all licensed
> handguns in the State. Better tracking of handgun
> ownership will aid law enforcement efforts and
> consequently enhance public safety.
>
It's time to contact your elected officials...
> New Pistol License Fees Proposed In Pataki Budget
> Plan:
>
> Part I - Establish a State licensing fee on pistol
> and revolver permits and an expiration date for all
> gun licenses.
>
> This bill imposes a State fee on pistol permits.
>
> Section 400.00 of the Penal Law is amended to impose
> State licensing fees on pistol permits. The fee
> schedule is as follows: a $100 fee is imposed on new
> and renewal pistol or revolver licenses; a $25 fee
> for each permit amendment; a $100 fee on gunsmith
> and dealer licenses; a $25 fee on duplicate
> licenses; and a $25 fee on license transfers.
> Additionally, caps on local fees are removed and
> such fees will be determined by the appropriate
> county legislature or the New York City Council.
>
> This bill also establishes a five-year expiration
> for gun licenses issued outside of New York City and
> Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, where
> permit expiration dates already exist. All current
> holders of lifetime licenses will need to have their
> licenses certified prior to February 1, 2005. These
> certifications will expire on a five-year prorated
> basis in accordance with a schedule determined by
> the Superintendent of State Police.
>
> This bill further amends the Penal Law to mandate
> that for the recertification of a gun license a
> National Instant Background Check System (NICS)
> search shall be conducted instead of requiring the
> resubmission of the applicant's fingerprints.
>
> Currently, local fees are authorized in statute for
> gun licenses. In New York City and Nassau County,
> local legislative bodies can establish a fee for a
> pistol license at any amount, whereas in counties
> outside of New York City and Nassau the fee must be
>
> between $3 and $10. Additional local fees for gun
> dealers, license amendments, duplicate licenses, and
> license transfers are defined. There are no current
> State fees.
>
> The expiration periods are also set in statute. In
> New York City, licenses are valid for three years.
> In Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties,
> licenses are valid for five years. In all other
> counties, gun licenses do not expire.
>
> With the information acquired through the new
> licensing process, the State Police will be able to
> maintain an updated database on all licensed
> handguns in the State. Better tracking of handgun
> ownership will aid law enforcement efforts and
> consequently enhance public safety.
>