NY Permit questions

If Niagara is as bad as Erie, I would suggest moving.
1. not sure
2. nope, I hear these days that they are starting to put restrictions(target/hunting) on permits just like Erie county does.
3.
4. IMO the required safety course in erie was a waste of money. Its just there to make politicians feel better.

Just move to a shall issue state.

I have heard mixed things about Niagara County, but I think the hard part is the 4 references you need.

Im not sure what the Niagara Co. permit app says, but the Erie Co. permit app asks what reason you need a carry permit for. It states right on the app that personal protection is not a valid reason. I think that might be the toughest obstacle if your app also says that.

Reason not a problem

I'm downstate, not upstate but the issues are similar. The reason you want a permit is to engage in the sport of target shooting. This is true anyway, as when you actually shoot your handgun, it will be at a target with your intention being to get better at hitting it.

The reason is a problem if you want a carry permit... Unless your job requires it, like you carry around large sums of money on a regular basis, are a repo man, tow truck driver, security guard, or the likes, good luck... I'm in the process of getting mine. Even security guards are getting restrictions on times they can carry that correspond to their job now. If you had a carry permit, but changed jobs, they'll probably re-restrict your carry permit until you show why you need it in your new job. Byron Brown was a huge advocate for this, and it really looks like its working... NOT!!! How many kids and adults have been shot in Buffalo this year? I think it'll be a record slaughter by the time the year ends...

On the third page of this thread a THR member from Niagara County speaks about it being difficult to get a license there, but that single instance is the only one I recall hearing about the county itself.

As for your other questions:

The license you seek is simultaneously a license to purchase a handgun/pistol, own a handgun/pistol, and carry a handgun/pistol concealed. It is all three of those things when it is issued. The issuing officer can, if s/he chooses, designate your license as "For hunting and target shooting only, and transportation to and from." That is, essentially, a recommendation from them - IANAL, but I understand that it is not legally binding. I'll give an example, to be clear.

Let's say that you get your license, it is restricted as above, and you decide to carry your handgun concealed anyway. If you are caught, and the licensing officer finds out about it, your handgun license can be revoked. However, if I understand correctly, you cannot be charged with a crime for doing so, since you were legally licensed. You didn't break the law, you just violated the terms of the license, so the license can be revoked, but you cannot be charged with anything because you didn't do anything illegal. Again, I am not a layer, but this is my understanding.

In my case, I have the limited license. Why? Because Albany County rarely gives out unrestricted licenses, unless you can show cause for why you need one (for your job, your life is in danger, etc.). So, I just keep the license with my pistol, and everything is fine.

Good luck!

Also, there's a thread in the main forum right now that's about Erie County, with a few Niagara folks chiming in. It should be useful to your overall knowledge of the process.