Westchester Permit Timeline

**lopezius** · 02-03-2012, 03:45 PM

Sorry to hijack your thread jts628 but I have a better understanding of the hold up here. Although I am sure the investigators for Westchester County are not in exactly a rush to get your investigation I highly doubt they will take their time and just add more work. Get it over with and move on to the next one. I handed my application in around mid October and was told that it was given to the county clerk on January 12th. I figured that they would get it, review it and take it up to the Judge and that would be where the hold up was but apparently I was wrong. Earlier today I came to find out that it has yet to even be taken up to a judge and that they were "waiting" for more applications to pile up before taking it up to the judge. So not only is that acting against us, whether it is by the direction of the judge or just the clerk to sit on them, but then you do not know whether you will get the "good" judge who just signs them and gets it over with or a judge who will also sit on it for a few weeks to wait for them to pile up. Honestly I believe that New York State needs to seriously reconsider NYS Penal Law Article 400. It tends to be very vague and gives these municipalities free reign to drag ass on these applications although in reality these applications to include the background investigations do not take relatively long. It's just them taking advantage of their 6 month time window. Kinda messed up but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Who knows maybe the judges take turns on these applications, so the current judge is one who sits on the applications, but instead of the judge letting them pile up in his/her desk, they told the clerk to hold off until they got a handful to sign all at once.

**rj226** · 02-03-2012, 04:34 PM

We seem to be in the same boat. I also submitted in mid October. Coincidentally, I too called the clerks office today. I was told that my app was not back from the County Police. No other info available. Oh well.

**lopezius** · 02-03-2012, 05:30 PM

That seems odd, unless maybe it got kicked back to the County Police for something.

**Pieth** · 02-20-2012, 08:51 PM

Just an update - thanks to lopezius for the reminder. I ended up getting my paperwork back the first week in Feb (applied 8/23). In a twist of irony, lopezius was correct above...my permit date is 1/13...so it sat around for almost 4 weeks before it was mailed to me. End to end the whole process from meeting to receiving paperwork was just over 5 months (8/23 - 2/4).

And, well worth the plug, i worked with Louis Fico - for a very modest fee he handled paperwork, dealt with me calling and texting him (somewhat constantly) about timing...for anyone applying and overwhelmed by the process call Lou, super solid guy. Contact louispfico@gmail.com to get in touch with him.

**MDFalco** · 02-27-2012, 05:56 PM

My personal experience getting my first pistol permit has been as follows:

11/15 - Met with a Detective in the Westchester Pistol Unit in White Plains to submit paperwork. Basically he gave me major attitude from the start as though this was a huge inconvenience for him. Never once did he volunteer any advice or provide any info regarding next steps or timing. When I tried asking him questions like when should hear from them he simply threw "about 6 months" over his shoulder as he walked back to his office.

3/24 - Received my letter from the County Clerks office telling me that my permit had been approved. This was a shock as it had only been about 14 weeks since I dropped the papers off. I went to the Pistol Unit later that day to pay yet another $10 and take another picture and received my restricted license. I tried speaking with the Detective (not the one I met previously) that had just finished with another applicant but he gave very terse answers to my questions as he walked back to his office. I guess these guys must really hate their jobs.

What really annoyed me was when I asked if there was a printed or online book of regulations regarding carrying a pistol and he just said "No". When I replied that I just didn't want to make any mistakes his flippant answer was "That's why we have lawyers."

BTW, neither I nor any of my references had been contacted by anyone during this process.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that it didn't take the full 6 months to get approved but it really annoys me how arrogant and unhelpful the staff in WP is and don't get me started on the "restricted" license.

MDF

**rj226** · 02-28-2012, 12:54 PM

So, I called again today and was told that my app has been sent to one of the Judges. The clerk further said I should watch the mail in the next week or so. Submit date was 10/12 so I am just under 5 months. If I get it within the next few weeks, I really can't complain as the county will be in compliance with the law.

**lopezius** · 02-28-2012, 04:30 PM

Good for you MDFalco, congrats on getting it, at least it proves they are pushing some out however slow that might be.

rj226, I am on the same boat as you, they said to expect it soon so we'll see. It went up to the judge on the 3rd of this month so I think this has been more then enough time for it to get signed. I have heard that certain judges like to take their time signing these things off so I guess I am in that pile.

**jhudock** · 02-29-2012, 09:12 PM

My wife and I were just notified we were both approved. Going in to pick up our permits on Friday. App submitted 10/27, approved 2/29. Just over 4 months.

**lopezius** · 02-29-2012, 09:59 PM

I'm glad for you but at the same time annoyed, there seems to be absolutely no consistency in how these permits are approved. Every day i check the mail and every day nothing

. Very upsetting.

**rj226** · 02-29-2012, 11:15 PM

I know how you feel

**lopezius** · 03-01-2012, 05:33 PM

Well, came home today to no permit yet. Called the county and nothing has come back from the Judge yet. It will be a month on Saturday that it went up to the judge. I did ask the lady to give me a call when it came in though and she was very nice. She told me that if it came to her she would call me and to expect it any day now. We'll see.

**lopezius** · 03-02-2012, 11:48 AM

Well a little update. Another forum member recommended I contact a particular woman from the clerk's office to find out the judge who has my application. I was told she was very nice so I gave it a shot. She was very nice and I asked her who had my application, she told me it was Judge Hubert. Now here's the real kicker. She told me that Judge Hubert is currently behind on about 4 baskets of permit applications of roughly 20 applications a piece. All I had to say to that was WOW!!!!!! That is completely unacceptable but what can you do. She told me they will be looking into it and to give her a call on Wednesday for an update. Fingers crossed.

**jhudock** · 03-02-2012, 03:39 PM

It is absurd. I was glad that it only took 4 months, because I was conditioned to expect it to take 6, but in 95% of the other counties in the US it would've taken < 45 days. And that doesn't include the extra time it took before the permit app was even submitted, to get the references, etc...
We can only hope that the SCOTUS will clean this up in the near future.

**lopezius** · 03-02-2012, 11:26 PM

Yeah, like I said previously, that's how it was when I was stationed down in VA. It's a complete different animal up here in NY but I guess I tried to be a little optimistic at first. I feel as though this system is meant more to discourage gun ownership and they also take advantage of the fact that they have the "6 months" to approve it here. Funny thing is that I probably have more training and rounds sent down range than most police officers in Westchester County do. They can give me a gun and tell me to go fight for my country but make me fight for my rights once I get home.

**Darthgamer138** · 03-02-2012, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by jhudock

It is absurd. I was glad that it only took 4 months, because I was conditioned to expect it to take 6, but in 95% of the other counties in the US it would've taken < 45 days.

What pistol permit? You mean the 2nd amendment?

**MDFalco** · 03-02-2012, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by lopezius

Well a little update. Another forum member recommended I contact a particular woman from the clerk's office to find out the judge who has my application. I was told she was very nice so I gave it a shot. She was very nice and I asked her who had my application, she told me it was Judge Hubert. Now here's the real kicker. She told me that Judge Hubert is currently behind on about 4 baskets of permit applications of roughly 20 applications a piece. All I had to say to that was WOW!!!!!! That is completely unacceptable but what can you do. She told me they will be looking into it and to give her a call on Wednesday for an update. Fingers crossed.

lopezius: sorry to hear yours is taking so long. Best of luck and hope your wait isn't too much longer.

Funny thing is, if any of us in the private sector were so backed up, we probably would have been long gone from the position.

Just an FYI: the judge who signed off on my coupon (and I asume my permit) was Robert Neary.

MDF

**lopezius** · 03-07-2012, 03:24 PM

I called the woman from the clerk's office back again today as per her instruction. Again she was very nice and while she did say that applications have been coming back down mine hasn't been signed yet. On a good note, she said mine should be ready by the end of this week and she would call me when it comes down. So, although I know everyone has had mixed experiences with the clerks office, this woman has been very nice and helpful so I'll take her word for it.

**Taekwon** · 03-09-2012, 03:29 AM

It's a shame to see how the Westchester County permit process is so frustrating! I've had my permit for several years and have acquired numerous guns over that time. There are some I would really like to sell but no way will I subject myself to this nonsense. I have full carry permits in Ct. and Florida. Much more reasonable process. Good luck to everyone that has been waiting.

**browntroutorama** · 03-10-2012, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by jts628

I moved from Brooklyn so had 1 Westchester reference, 2 from Brooklyn, and 1 from Queens. When I called the permit dept when I first got my app, they said there was a strong preference for Westchester refs but they would take people "close" by.

I was told that a permit holder moving from Brooklyn to Westchester had to completely re-apply from scratch! Sounds kind of silly for moving just a few miles away!

**rj226** · 03-12-2012, 10:54 AM

Five months to the day. Still patiently (sort of ) waiting. I did check last week. My experience with the clerk was not great (the person I spoke to was not the usual person who is helpful and polite). However, I was told through another source that I should expect my letter this week. All I can do is hope.

**lopezius** · 03-12-2012, 01:11 PM

I feel your pain man, I will have 5 months to the day this Saturday, but a buddy of mine submitted his application in November and got his letter on Saturday. Anyway, I talked to the clerk and was told that the secretary for the judge is supposed to be bringing down the rest of the applications either today or tomorrow. Now I was told this last week as well by the same clerk but I do understand that it is kind of out of her control. I guess only time will tell. She did ask for my number today to call me when it finally came down. Crazy how different everyone's experience is. Some people get it right away while others get stuck waiting until 6 months plus. They really should do something about this process to make it uniform across the board for everyone. Clean record, honorable military service, military police Sergeant and still waiting almost 5 months, but my buddy, no formal training, arrest on record, and he got his in 4 months.

**lopezius** · 03-15-2012, 10:46 AM

Finally got the call for my permit yesterday. Went and picked it up, picked up my brand new Glock 26, then took her to the range last night. First thing I noticed was the grip texture difference. I have shot a few Glocks over the years and with the exception of RTF models, this texture provides a much better grip. The trigger was a little gritty but a good polish and some more use should clear that up. Other then that it's a Glock so it has a very nice break and crisp reset. Groups were very tight for such a short barrel shooting 124gr Federal American Eagle. 5 yard groups were very close, just blasting nice holes in the center of the target. Even stretching it out even further the gun was surprisingly accurate, as accurate as it can be when you leave room for human error. After 250 rounds there was not one hiccup, she ran flawlessly as expected. One thing I did notice though was the my hand got a little raw on the palm because of the grip texture but nothing bad and nothing I won't get used to. Plan on going back out this Friday for some more range time with her and hopefully picking up the Sig 1911 very shortly. Here's a picture I took this morning.

IMAG0050.jpg

**jhudock** · 03-15-2012, 11:01 AM

Congratulations!

**rj226** · 03-15-2012, 11:55 AM

My wife just called. My approval letter just came. Leaving work to pick it up then to gun shop to pick up my Sig 226 and Ruger 22/45. May take tomorrow off to put some rounds downrange. 5 months and 3 days.

Good luck to all those who are still waiting.

**lopezius** · 03-15-2012, 01:19 PM

Congratulations!! Good to hear you got it, enjoy that Sig it's a fine weapon. i too am thinking about getting a 22 pistol, cheap ammo means alot more range time. If you're around myself and a few other members are planning a trip to Coyne tomorrow, I'll get back to you with a time if you're down.