Greetings! Would love feedback on my 'just cause' letter for pistol permit.

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pslovejackie

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Hello, there!

I am currently completing my application for a NYS pistol permit (sportsperson specification).
After writing out my just cause letter to my county sheriff, I would love some feedback from this forum.
Here it is;

To the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department,

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I am writing to you for the purpose of stating my just cause to be a NYS pistol permit holder under the sportsperson specification. I am an avid outdoorsman who frequently goes on camping and hiking trips - often alone. As a woman, a common fear of mine is encountering an unfriendly person (or animal) while alone in the woods.
Having the ability to arm myself would ensure my safety and well being. I believe it is imperative to take the necessary steps to be able to legally protect myself in the event of an attack by either another person or an aggressive animal.
In addition to the necessity for protection, I also frequently attend shooting ranges to participate in target and skeet shooting. In the future I would love to participate in tactical shooting competitions - many of which require the shooter to use a pistol (and thus have a pistol permit). Attending ranges and participating in shooting competitions encourages the growth of my skill with firearms, which would in turn help me protect myself if God forbid I ever need to do so.
I am a strong proponent of the necessity of thorough background checks for firearm applicants as well as very serious about gun safety. All firearms purchased would be stored in a locked safe (which I currently own) at all times when not in use. There are no children in my household, and two members of the household currently hold NYS pistol permits. I believe it is the responsibility of any firearm owner to be extremely cautious and responsible at all times during both the operation and the storage of their firearms.
In closing, I am confident that you will see me as a fit candidate to be granted a NYS pistol permit due to my training and experience with the operation and safety of firearms as well as strong moral character. I look forward to receiving your reply, and I would like to thank you again for taking the time to review my application and to read my letter.

Warm Regards,
 
Last edited:
stokes

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Dont know what restrictions a "sportsperson" permit carries,but I wonder if you should leave out the part about carrying it for self defense.
 
Toecutter

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Keep it short and sweet just ask and get to the point. They get alot of these letters they just need info.

I live in Putnam and have a carry permit ,my letter was 3 or 4 sentences. Your not convincing them of anything, you will be approved or denied based on your background. I wouldn't even mention defending yourself.
 
Deplorable Me

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I helped my wife and son prepare their justification statements for Erie County. The statement will be read by a government worker with a short attention span. (Mind you each county in NY is it's own fiefdom. )

  • They did their statements in the form of a bullet list. (Pardon the pun).
  • Bullet list allow you to basically present an idea in the form of a single sentence (if idea is that short) without the need to string it together in a paragraph. Two-three sentences ok in a bullet list too.
  • Try to economize your words.
  • Government workers don't like to work, make the job easy and to the point.
  • If you have additional experience or training with firearms including long guns it's worth a bullet point mention. Trap shooting, hunting, gun club membership.
  • My son got a full unrestricted carry within 10 months, my wife got hers in 14 months. This was pretty much the time line 2 years ago.
 
Blimey

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Not bad but.

  • I would ask for an unrestricted, not a sportsperson.
  • remove the comment about thorough background checks; it's political and out of scope
  • I'd work on wording over "unfriendly person". You can't use your gun on "unfriendly" people. Maybe something like "Particularly as a woman, I want to be able to ensure my personal safety while out of the home."
  • Remove the part about "help me protect myself". Instead I'd replace all comments about training with something like "I will be partaking in continued firearms training"
  • I like the comments about the other two pistol holders in the house

Overall I'd think about trying to shorten it further, too. If you really do shorten it up hit on the fact you're female, take gun safety very seriously, intend on continual training
 
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BDinPutnam

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@Blimey - unrestricted right out the gate in Putnam didn't even happen under Judge Reitz (who GREATLY loosened up the process when he came onto the bench 10+ years ago) unless you were LE or applied for Business Carry. Six months after getting permit you would apply for an "upgrade" which was generally granted.

I looked at the current PP app and it does look like every applicant needs to write a letter now. It is odd to me because the app says it was "updated 5/29/2019"- but Judge Reitz died LAST summer so I'm not sure who the licensing officer has been since then nor who it is that updated this form. I note too that historically the process itself is handled by the Sherrif's office (and the Clerk) but the Put County licensing officer had been an ELECTED judge.
 
Blimey

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BDinPutnam said:
@Blimey - unrestricted right out the gate in Putnam didn't even happen under Judge Reitz (who GREATLY loosened up the process when he came onto the bench 10+ years ago) unless you were LE or applied for Business Carry. Six months after getting permit you would apply for an "upgrade" which was generally granted.
Click to expand...
Ah...okay ignore that part. I was speaking from Wayne county perspective ;) Still the wild west out here. I got unrestricted off the bat and it was a few months start to finish!
 
Jezman

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pslovejackie said:
Hello, there!

I am currently completing my application for a NYS pistol permit (sportsperson specification).
After writing out my just cause letter to my county sheriff, I would love some feedback from this forum.
Here it is;

To the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department,

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I am writing to you for the purpose of stating my just cause to be a NYS pistol permit holder under the sportsperson specification. I am an avid outdoorsman who frequently goes on camping and hiking trips - often alone. As a woman, a common fear of mine is encountering an unfriendly person (or animal) while alone in the woods.
Having the ability to arm myself would ensure my safety and well being. I believe it is imperative to take the necessary steps to be able to legally protect myself in the event of an attack by either another person or an aggressive animal.
In addition to the necessity for protection, I also frequently attend shooting ranges to participate in target and skeet shooting. In the future I would love to participate in tactical shooting competitions - many of which require the shooter to use a pistol (and thus have a pistol permit). Attending ranges and participating in shooting competitions encourages the growth of my skill with firearms, which would in turn help me protect myself if God forbid I ever need to do so.
I am a strong proponent of the necessity of thorough background checks for firearm applicants as well as very serious about gun safety. All firearms purchased would be stored in a locked safe (which I currently own) at all times when not in use. There are no children in my household, and two members of the household currently hold NYS pistol permits. I believe it is the responsibility of any firearm owner to be extremely cautious and responsible at all times during both the operation and the storage of their firearms.
In closing, I am confident that you will see me as a fit candidate to be granted a NYS pistol permit due to my training and experience with the operation and safety of firearms as well as strong moral character. I look forward to receiving your reply, and I would like to thank you again for taking the time to review my application and to read my letter.

Warm Regards,
Click to expand...
Sad you have to do this for a right. Sad days in this country. Good luck. I would add you are willing and will pursue more knowledge of you gun handling and keep up on current gun laws.
 
Toecutter

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When I got my permit in putnam 2012 I think 2013 maybe. I had to write a letter. As Carp stated I put my name info what I wanted and for all legal purposes.

Got My restricted then had to take a live fire wait 6 months then apply for upgradde . Application looked the same as it is now.
 
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