New York State Pistol Permit Questions/database

[peck1234]

When you buy a pistol in New York state what is the difference between a civilian with a handgun permit and a law enforcement officer in terms of purchase? Once a pistol is purchased who does the notifications go out to on a legal level? Does the serial number of the fire arm become linked to the owner?

 

[GJSchulze]

I can't answer about LEO issues, but the make, model and s/n are listed on your pistol permit. Depending on the county, a pistol can be listed on someone else's permit. My wife and I list each other's pistols on our permits. I don't believe that there is a statewide database of that info. I know that if you get pulled over for a traffic stop, the LEO does not know if you have a permit; the info is not linked to your driver's license. There is no duty to inform.

I don't know what you mean by notifications going out after a pistol is purchased. You can't purchase a pistol without a permit and during the process of getting your permit it's very likely the sheriff's office will contact your spouse before you get it. When you purchase a pistol you must bring the receipt to the county clerk to register the gun. You get a coupon that you take back to the dealer and only then can you receive your pistol. This process varies by county.

Can you clarify your questions now?

 

[toivo]

I think GJSchulze pretty much covered it, except that I believe that there is a database of that information kept in Albany. I know that our county office sends a photocopy of the purchase receipt to Albany, and I would imagine that all the info they key in (make, model, caliber, serial number) isn't just for printing out your gun card, but goes into a database too.

It can get pretty confusing, especially when registering milsurps. Who's the manufacturer of a Bulgarian Makarov? (We finally settled on listing the importer as the "make" and "Makarov" as the model.) What do you put as the caliber when you have a 9mm with a .22 conversion kit? (I was told to list the caliber I was most likely going to carry it with: 9mm.) What do you put as the caliber of a Nagant Revolver when there isn't room in the caliber column of the gun card for "7.62x38R"?

As far as I know from talking to the LEOs that are members of our club, they can carry department-approved guns "on the badge," meaning they don't need a state permit. I don't know how purchasing is handled -- I imagine that would vary by department. However, if they want to purchase and carry other firearms off-duty, they need to get a permit like everybody else. I believe this also simplifies things when they retire.

 

[Midwest]

Everything was well covered. If you still need more information, also check out this site
http://nyfirearms.com/forums/
.

 

[heyjoe]

toivo
However, if they want to purchase and carry other firearms off-duty, they need to get a permit like everybody else. I believe this also simplifies things when they retire.

this is incorrect. off duty guns can also be purchased with your department id. what you can purchase varies by agency.

 

[toivo]

this is incorrect. off duty guns can also be purchased with your department id. what you can purchase varies by agency.

Thanks for the correction, but I'm still confused. I know some LEOs who keep a regular pistol permit too. I'm wondering why they do this. Maybe for cross-registration of spouse's handguns?

 

[jrmiddleton425]

Thanks for the correction, but I'm still confused. I know some LEOs who keep a regular pistol permit too. I'm wondering why they do this. Maybe for cross-registration of spouse's handguns?

Some LEOs get permits in their own name because they want to buy something other than what their agency allows "on the badge."

 

[heyjoe]

some agencies dont allow you to have a pistol permit.