You can call me a crazy right wing nut job all you want but I just want to protect myself. In fact, it's my right.

I've been a resident of New York State for almost two years. I love just about everything about it. There's never a shortage on anything to do and don't even get me started on the pizza. Despite the myths of a "New York attitude", I myself haven't seen it.

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David De Lossy
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There is one thing that I'm having trouble adjusting to. New York has some of the most strict gun laws in the country and I come from one of the most laxed states.

In Michigan I had a concealed carry pistol permit. I had to take a written test along with a twelve hour course taught by the police department. After I passed the course I then had to have my finger prints taken by the state police and have my record examined by a board. Once I got that approval, a psychiatrist then had to interview me and go over any prescription medication. Despite all of that the process was only about three months.

To just purchase in other states there is just a small safety questionnaire along with registering the pistol through the local police department. I was lucky enough to be in a state that didn't make it difficult to defend myself.

Why does the state of New York not offer reciprocity for law abiding citizens? Have I not proven that I'm a responsible gun owner? Once I got my New York license I was forced to give up my conceal carry permit which doesn't make sense to me. I'm not sure what you'd call it but I call it but I'd say I've been disarmed. I do have a cell phone though. Perhaps if there's a burglar I could always call the police and pray they get there on time. Don't even get me started on the seven-round magazine capacity. If you think that's appropriate then I would defer you to a story in Georgia where a woman defended her two children with a six shot revolver and six shots didn't put the large man down.

According to NY.Gov, there are three different types of permits you can acquire? Do we really need three? Among the many things that disturb me about this process is this quote from the eligibility segment:

"Have a legally recognized reason for wanting to possess or carry a firearm"

You need a legal reason why I need a firearm? Instead of me finding a reason, how about you find it for me in the Constitution?

I know people that have gone through the proper channels and have still been denied.

Is it too hard to get a handgun permit in New York?

 

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