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Upstate New York unrestricted carry permit interview?

7048 Views 12 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Cippee
This issue is very specific to my location and am hoping there are a few of you who could help me out.

I currently live in Albany county and in the town of Colonie. I submitted my paperwork to the police department for my pistol permit in mid July and noted on the application that I will be going right for my unrestricted carry. I just received a letter from the New York state Supreme Court informing me of an appointment to show up in court to explain "proper cause" - that is "a special need for self protection distinguishable from that of the general community or of persons engaged in the same profession."

I still haven't received a letter saying my basic permit was approved and hopefully me not having a pistol permit for a certain time period will hurt my chances of getting my unrestricted.

I currently work night shift at a fabrication plant and during my off days I keep the night shift schedule and run errands usually at night at 24 hour stores. The parking lot alone is a very sketchy environment at 2 am when I would do some light grocery shopping. This and the fact that I want to be able to protect myself whenever and wherever I am is my argument as of now

If anyone has any experience in this process and can shed some light on it is greatly appreciate it, thanks!

PS there is a thread already on this site pertaining to this exact situation, but it's from a few years ago and was hoping to get more recent experiences.
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Good luck!

What distinguishes the unrestricted permit from the regular permit?
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I know the Montana process. Show up to get your picture taken. get finger printed. check your mail box a month later.
The judge wants to talk to you. They probably aren't going to issue a unrestricted they will just issue a sportsman or target and hunting restriction. From what I hear Albany sucks. Many counties will call you into court if you want a unrestricted permit. If you had a business with large amounts of money then you may have a shot. You can go over to NY Firearms and ask them they talk about it all the time. They know the judges by name over there. You can move to Dutchess where they only issue unrestricted permits.
I would talk to a lawyer who specializes in gun rights. Your situation doesn't sound like one that would work in the "show cause" areas I'm familiar with, DC and MD. Usually it's something like you have to carry a lot of cash for your job, or you're being stalked, etc. I know a guy who got one in MD because he was a firearms instructor who lived in VA but also taught in MD. He even admits he was surprised he got away with that.

Just wanting to protect yourself from crime is usually not enough. Your best bet is to find a day job in a non-communist state. Good luck with your permit!
If you applied for unrestricted carry, I doubt they'd process it as a regular "to and from range only, hunting where legal" carry permit. As for the unrestricted carry, give your circumstances, I doubt you will get it. FWIW, I know things can change in 5 years, but the Walmart in Rensselaer (East Greenbush) was never the least bit sketchy in the wee small hours when I lived there.


Good luck!

What distinguishes the unrestricted permit from the regular permit?
An unrestricted permit is what most folks outside New York state would consider a normal CWP. Most of what NY calls "carry permits" really aren't. They're either "target carry" and restricted to carrying "to and from the range only and hunting where legal", or "business carry" and restricted to carrying only "when engaged in the specified business".
That is tough situation. The results varies so much from county to county, depending on the proclivities of the particular judge. The employees are the permiting office can be very helpful. Over in Madison County the women at the sheriffs dept. had great advice for completing the application, helpful tips about what to write and what NOT to write in certain sections, advice about the references and what they can write that would show you in the best light.
Finally, I am sure you already know this, the website: NY Firearms was very useful during my application process. Check out the sub-forum Pistol Permts under General Discussion.
Good luck to you.
The judge wants to talk to you. They probably aren't going to issue a unrestricted they will just issue a sportsman or target and hunting restriction. From what I hear Albany sucks. Many counties will call you into court if you want a unrestricted permit. If you had a business with large amounts of money then you may have a shot. You can go over to NY Firearms and ask them they talk about it all the time. They know the judges by name over there. You can move to Dutchess where they only issue unrestricted permits.
Not helpful . We in NY already know that many others live in more pro-2A states.
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The OP should painstakingly read through the Pistol Permits subforum at the NYfirearms.com website. Many have already been through that meeting and can advise better what works and what doesn't. At a minimum, you should set the stage and tell the Judge you're going to take an advanced pistol safety course which is an all-day course.

Good luck.

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Move to PA or maybe Vermont. Otherwise you'll regret being a citizen who wants to be in control of there own security. Escape before Hillary...
Good luck. It's going to be very, very tough. That Safe Act practically killed the 2A in NY.
I have nothing of value to contribute to your post. However, after reading your post, I'm glad that Florida doesn't seem to be as restrictive.
This issue is very specific to my location and am hoping there are a few of you who could help me out.

I currently live in Albany county and in the town of Colonie. I submitted my paperwork to the police department for my pistol permit in mid July and noted on the application that I will be going right for my unrestricted carry. I just received a letter from the New York state Supreme Court informing me of an appointment to show up in court to explain "proper cause" - that is "a special need for self protection distinguishable from that of the general community or of persons engaged in the same profession."

I still haven't received a letter saying my basic permit was approved and hopefully me not having a pistol permit for a certain time period will hurt my chances of getting my unrestricted.

I currently work night shift at a fabrication plant and during my off days I keep the night shift schedule and run errands usually at night at 24 hour stores. The parking lot alone is a very sketchy environment at 2 am when I would do some light grocery shopping. This and the fact that I want to be able to protect myself whenever and wherever I am is my argument as of now

If anyone has any experience in this process and can shed some light on it is greatly appreciate it, thanks!

PS there is a thread already on this site pertaining to this exact situation, but it's from a few years ago and was hoping to get more recent experiences.
Not helpful . We in NY already know that many others live in more pro-2A states.
Well I live in NY in Dutchess county so I don't know what your talking about.
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