Daniel P. Sullivan, who is the assistant pistol license officer for Oneida County wrote the following response to the ongoing attempts by New York to make microstamping the law of the state: As an experienced expert on handgun licensing procedures, Sullivan’s observations are the most accurate and honest of any I’ve seen or heard.

“The (proposed) ballistic microstamping law as it relates to pistols (semi-automatic handguns) is a huge waste of money. Some pertinent points need to be made to help non-gun owners understand the existing gun laws throughout the nation so they will hopefully realize I and many other law-abiding gun owners feel this way.

Forty-four states do not require any type of license to purchase or own a handgun. Thirty-one states do not have any prohibition on public open carry of a handgun. By law, all gun owners in New York state must carry concealed in any public format. (Concealed means out of sight; the gun must be covered up).

The application process takes three to four months. The applicant undergoes an extensive background check that includes mental health, domestic and a criminal history check. All of this must be completed before a license to carry a handgun is issued.