I agree, NYS is awful. I live in Erie County and I've had my permit 7 years now, says "Hunting and Target". (though no mention of what I should be hunting or targeting) Basically nonsense invented by Erie County. You'll need to take the course (a few hours at the Buffalo Gun Center on a Sat.) get 3 references, you'll get interviewed by a cop, fingerprinted, and wait 6 months+. $$$ was $60 for the course, $99 for fingerprinting and I'm not sure what else. Remember once you have a permit you have to go to the County Building (Buffalo) every time you add or remove a gun. Best to do a whole bunch at a time, they charge you $3 per transaction (I've co-registered a lot of pistols for a friend and they didn't charge me per gun like the website says they will)
The clerks are nice and VERY slow. BE POLITE!!! And watch out for the security cops at the metal detector. They have attitude issues. Inquired about checking a carry piece so I wouldn't have to leave it in my car and I got all kinds of B.S. including some fabrication stating that "since 9-11, you can't carry your gun in the city..."
I think he made that up on the spot. I called him on his baloney and,
long story short, you can check your weapon in their lock box and get a receipt.
Good luck! You'll need it!
JIm