Senator Bonacic Announces Passage of Legislation to Help Expedite Handgun Permit Process in Ulster County: Assembly Must Act!

(Albany, NY)-Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) is pleased to announce that his bill, S.1601, has passed the New York State Senate. The legislation would authorize the Ulster County Sheriff to be an additional licensing officer  for the purpose of issuing handgun licenses in Ulster County. Current law provides that the licensing officer(s) for Ulster County be either a judge of justice of a court of record having his or her office in the county.

“It is unacceptable that law abiding citizens who seek to lawfully possess handguns should have to wait excessive amounts of time due to backlog,” said Senator Bonacic. “This is a common sense piece of legislation that would expedite the permit process, and not penalize individuals in Ulster County. I hope the Assembly will move quickly to pass this legislation.”

The legislation was requested by Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum, who cited significant backlog in the processing of handgun licenses in the county, sometimes greater than nine months. Adding the Sheriff as a licensing officer  would help the relieve the situation.

“I want to thank Senator Bonacic and the Senate for passing this piece of legislation that will help alleviate the backlog that we see in Ulster County when it comes to pistol permit licensing,” said Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum. “No law abiding citizen of Ulster County should ever have to wait close to a year to receive a handgun permit. I would urge the Assembly to pass this bill in a timely fashion.”

The bill now moves to the Assembly.