Pick up an application (fee of $15.00) at the Clinton County Clerk’s Office at 137 Margaret St., Plattsburgh, NY. Once completed, the application must be returned to the same location.    
 

Application can be mailed by request, accompanied by a self addressed stamped 9" x 12" envelope and a $15.00 check or money order for the processing fee.    
 

As of September 1, 2022 a firearm safety course will be required of applicants . There are several requirements that must be met before an individual will be issued a license to carry or possess a firearm in New York State. See NY Penal Law 400.00(1). Generally, you must be 21 years of age but there are no age restrictions for individuals who have been honorably discharged from one of the branches of the United States Military, including the Coast Guard, or the New York National Guard. You also must "reside" in Clinton County however this entails more than simply owning or renting a home or apartment in the county. You must have a "significant connection" with the county in order to establish a residence here for purposes of obtaining a pistol permit.    
 

New York State has enacted new firearms licensing regulations for Penal Law§ 400.00 that took effect September 1, 2022. Under the new PL§ 400.00 licensing law, prior to the issuance or renewal of an unrestricted carry-concealed permit, an applicant must complete an in-person 16- hour curriculum, plus, a minimum of two (2) hours of live-fire range training; demonstrate proficiency by scoring a minimum of 80% on a written test and a grade of proficient determined by Division of Criminal Justice Service rules and regulations for live-fire range training.

For individuals who inquire about a local training course, they can do an online search for "NYS pistol permit training course" which will return multiple options. They key is that the course is at least 18 hours, to include classroom instruction (16 hours) and livefire (2 hours) training exercises. Many of the course descriptions state up front that they comply with the new requirements. Care should be taken to avoid one-day or online courses. The following entities have submitted proposed course outlines and curriculum that appear to satisfy the above requirements:  

Blue Talon Firearms Training 
Email: idunbar@bluetalonfirearmtraining.com 
Web: bluetalonfirearmtraining.com 
Cell: 518-593-9074 

Chesterfield Fish and Game Club 
Email: www.chesterfieldrange.com 
Cell: 518-645-6391 

Plattsbugh Rod & Gun 
Instructors: James A. LaPierre and David Boise 
Contact Info:  David Boise- cell phone: 518-569-0908 or 518-561-8592 
Email at:  dboise56@gmail.com 


Note: It is your responsibility to ensure the course meets the above basic requirements.

The Pistol Permit Licensing Officer of Clinton County and the Clinton County Clerk's Office can not recommend any particular course or instructor.

The fee for the application packet includes the price of your license.    
 

6 to 12 months barring delay.    
 

There are several different types of licenses available. See Penal Law 400.00(2) Generally, an individual who qualifies may obtain a license to have and possess a pistol or revolver in his or her home or place of business. Individuals in certain lines of work may obtain licenses to carry concealed pistols or revolvers. Any person, without regard to employment, may obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver for proper cause.    
 

Maybe. The only hard and fast rule is that if you have been convicted anywhere of a felony or serious offense you are ineligible for a license to have and possess a firearm in New York State unless you qualify for, and obtain, a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities. However, even a conviction of "lesser" crimes and offenses may disqualify you. The Licensing Officer will consider the nature and number of the crimes or offenses and when they occurred together with all of the other information gleaned from the application process when deciding whether to issue you a license to own and possess a firearm.    
 

No but they are preferred and if there is any question about whether you "reside" in Clinton County, the residency of the character references may take on additional weight.    
 

Licenses issued in Clinton County are valid until revoked however once a license is issued you must recertify the same every 3 years for a carry conceal permit and every 5 years for a possess on premise permit.    
 

No. But you may not be in the United States illegally or unlawfully.    
 

The instruction sheet provided with the application contains information regarding fingerprinting and the required fee.

Pictures can be taken at the Clinton County Clerk’s Office for a fee of $20.00, and must be submitted with your application.

You must report a change of address in writing to the State Police, Executive Department in Albany within ten (10) days of the move. You must also report a change of address to the Clinton County Clerk and, if you are moving out of Clinton County, request that your records be transferred to your new county of residence.

If you buy a gun from or sell a gun to dealer, just bring the receipt to the County Clerk’s Office where the weapon will be added or deleted and a purchase coupon will be provided for that weapon.

Gun sales to an individual other than immediate family require a NICS check performed by a gun dealer. The buyer must present proof of the NICS check at the time the handgun is registered. You must register the weapon prior to possessing it.

If a pistol is stolen it must be reported to both the police and the Clinton County Clerk’s Office. Please bring a copy of the police report for stolen weapons to the County Clerk’s Office.

Yes, but can only co-own a pistol with immediate family members. Parents, spouses, children, domestic partners and step-children are considered immediate family.

DEALING WITH HANDGUNS FROM THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED 

Executor/Administrator: Handguns that are registered to the Clinton County pistol permit of the deceased, without a co-registrant, must be surrendered to a licensed New York State Gun Dealer or to a Law Enforcement Agency. They may then be lawfully disposed of or obtained from the estate of the deceased by a person who possesses a valid New York State pistol permit. 

****Please contact the Clinton County Clerk's Office    
prior to surrender and we will guide you through this process****   
 

•  The pistol permit of the deceased must be surrendered to the Clinton County Clerk's Office where the permit was issued. 
• Any handguns registered to the pistol permit of the deceased that are unaccounted for must be reported to a Law Enforcement Agency.
• Any handguns found that are not registered to the pistol permit of the deceased must be reported to a Law Enforcement Agency.
• Either Letters Testamentary, Letter of Administration, or a Certificate of Voluntary Administration must be obtained from Surrogate's Court of the County where the deceased resided.
• Clinton County Surrogates Court: 518-536-3830.

Purchaser: when purchasing or obtaining a handgun from the estate of the deceased, you must be provided the following from the Executor/Administrator of the estate:

• Copy of the death certificate
• Either Letters Testamentary, Letter of Administration, or a Certificate of Voluntary Administration.
• Completed form "Transferring of Handguns from a Deceased Pistol Permit Holder", which is available by clicking this link or in our office.
• A receipt from the licensed New York State Gun Dealer if the handguns had been surrendered to a gun dealer.
• To register the handguns bring the above mentioned items to the Clinton County Pistol Permit Office, along with your valid Clinton County pistol permit.
• You cannot take possession of the handguns until they are registered to your pistol permit. 

Any questions may be directed to the Clinton County Pistol Permit Office 518-565-4700