New Yorkers rush to apply for carry permits ahead of new mandates

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and her anti-gun allies in the state legislature may have taken dramatic steps to try to keep New Yorkers from exercising their right to bear arms in the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning the state’s “may issue” carry permitting scheme, but the sweeping new restrictions set to take effect on Thursday aren’t stopping thousands of residents from applying for their permits. 

Several counties have reported long lines of hopeful gun owners waiting to apply, and in Erie County the county clerk announced that they’ll be open until midnight on Wednesday evening in order to accept applications that will be processed under the state’s current standards (albeit without the applicant having to demonstrate a “good cause” to carry).

Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns said the permit process is only step one.