Actually I found the whole experience kind of humiliating, not what I was expecting at all. In NY, we have three levels of handgun permit.
1. Restricted, meaning you can have one at home and the range.
2. Employment, you can use it for work (i.e. security guard.)
3. Unrestricted, you can carry it concealed.
I went to the hearing expecting to justify my need for a unrestricted permit. The thought that I could be denied a restricted permit never crossed my mind. I have a squeaky clean record, served in the military and I own properties and deal in cash quick often in some less than safe areas. I wrote up my justification along with my qualifications in a letter to the judge as requested.
Once the hearing started it was evident that the judge had not bothered to read my letter. The tone was hostile right from the start, almost like she was angry at me for daring to request a permit. She bombarded me with what I thought were irrelevant questions, barely letting me speak. The opening question was, "Why do you want a handgun permit?". My response was, "self defense". I started to add to that statement but she cut me off saying, "you cannot use a gun for self defense in NY, you have to use legal means of self defense.". I thought to myself, "what does she expect me to use? Harsh language?". Long story short she did not let me even make my arguments, granting me a restricted permit with a tone like she was doing me a favor. And that's only because I had to jump in and explain my history a bit. My Dad was an Olympic Bronze medalist in marksmanship, I was prior military, I have an $8000 safe, etc.
I left there completely disenchanted, with a feeling that I was a criminal for daring to exercise my constitutional rights. Mind you it's not like this in other states, but it seems that the closer you get to cities like NYC and LA the harder it is to get a permit.
huccl wrote:Eduardo wrote:I moved to a part of NY that is less restrictive and was able to finally get a handgun permit after about 1 yr of going through the process. I had to appear before a judge and convince her that I was "worthy" of possessing a handgun.
Geez really?
What is there to convince her of other than that you're not a criminal?