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Forms now available to opt-out of public disclosure of pistol permits

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On January 15, 2013, New York State passed new legislation known as the “NY SAFE ACT”– New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act.

The NY SAFE ACT includes the ability for pistol permit holders to "Opt-Out." This means pistol permit holders can request that their information be kept private and confidential.

The NYSAFE Act protects the privacy of pistol license holders by permitting them to notify a county clerk that they do not wish for their information to be released publicly.

Current licensees and new applicants may make this notification to their licensing officer using the NYS Firearms License Request for Public Records Exemption form which was approved by the Superintendent of the New York State Police.

In order for pistol permit holders to "Opt-Out" and have their information kept private, the form needs to be completed in its entirety and the original needs to be mailed or dropped off to your local county clerk’s office. The form is available at your local county clerk’s office and on their Web sites. We are also encouraging our town offices and local gun dealers to make the form available at their place of businesses, so you can also check there to see if they have the form available.

Genesee County Clerk Don M. Read
County Building #1
PO BOX 379
15 Main St.
Batavia, NY 14020-0379
(585) 344-2550, ext. 2243
Fax: (585) 344-8521
http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/countyclerk

Orleans County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard
3 S. Main St., Suite 1
Courthouse Square
Albion, NY 14411
Phone: (585) 589-5334
Fax: (585) 589-0181
http://orleansny.com/Departments/PublicRecords/CountyClerk.aspx

Wyoming County Clerk Rhonda Pierce
143 N. Main St.
Warsaw, NY 14569
(585) 786-8810
(585) 786-3703 
http://www.wyomingco.net/cclerk/main.html

Scott Birkby

Is the personal information of Social Services recipients publicly available, or is their information private? Do they have to take any special measures to "opt out" of having their personal information disclosed to the public?

Feb 16, 2013, 7:50am Permalink
Raymond Richardson

Something everyone should know is this does not opt you out of your information being shared with law enforcement agencies.

Only from other private individuals, marketing firms, etc. from obtaining the information through a FOIL request.

Feb 16, 2013, 8:33am Permalink
Raymond Richardson

Something everyone should know is this does not opt you out of your information being shared with law enforcement agencies.

Only from other private individuals, marketing firms, etc. from obtaining the information through a FOIL request.

Feb 16, 2013, 8:33am Permalink
Don Lovelace

I don't have a Pistol Permit. The word "permit" indicates that I need permission to have a pistol. I don't need anyone's permission. I do carry a FIREARMS LICENSE. The word license indicates that I have proven to be proficient(well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge) in the use of Firearms. Just as folks have a license to drive a vehicle on the public roads, have proven to be proficient in operating said vehicle.

This is another "hoop" that our government places before us to condition us to perform their tricks, as you would teach a dog to perform tricks. I don't care to be conditioned. I will not perform. I will ignore this Government crap just as I ignore most of the crap they devise to try to make me conform to their wishes.

If you are not familiar with the boiling frog story, please ask me to tell it to you sometime.

PEACE
DON

Feb 16, 2013, 10:15am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Actually, Don, we shouldn't need a special permit or license for pistols at all. Having said that, I "am" all for training requirements before being able to purchase rifles, shotguns and pistols. We require training to drive, which doesn't always work, but it's still required so why not for firearms handling, too?

Pistols are a completely different ballgame than long guns when it comes to handling them. Having been a pistol owner since May of 1989, I know how easy it is to get the muzzle of a pistol inside the perimeter of your own body. People should be aware of characteristics that are specific to handguns and they should also know the laws pertaining to concealed carry.

After taking the safe handling courses, one should only need to pass a National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) in order to buy a pistol or a long gun. Nobody should need to have special permission to own pistols, period.

Feb 16, 2013, 3:35pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

"OPT IN" is a great idea for criminals. Maybe include the types of weapons you have as well. Then the government could supply a map too. All I know is that these criminals better register these guns when they steal them, we need to be safe.....

Feb 16, 2013, 10:32pm Permalink
Jim Rosenbeck

Love the sarcasm Charlie :-) At least Don Read is doing his best to save us from the Albany idiocracy. I will be opting out. We are governed by shameless whores pandering for votes from a populace that is fundamentally ignorant ( and afraid of) firearms.

Feb 16, 2013, 7:50pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

"he word license indicates that I have proven to be proficient(well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge) in the use of Firearms. Just as folks have a license to drive a vehicle on the public roads, have proven to be proficient in operating said vehicle."

You're kidding, right?

Feb 16, 2013, 10:10pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

That's quite a reach Scott, not many people are being shot to death because no one knew they recieve public assistance, or no one had access to their private info..
Enlighten me if there is a connection...

Feb 17, 2013, 10:42am Permalink

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