County Concealed NYS Handgun-Pistol Permits

County Concealed handles the state-mandated training requirement for pistol permits in Herkimer, Madison, Lewis, and Oneida counties. Their 18-hour NRA-certified course is the approved pathway to get your handgun license in New York.

Beyond New York requirements, they offer:

• •Utah Non-Resident Concealed Handgun Permits – Reciprocal in 35+ states
• •Florida Non-Resident Pistol Permits – Additional coverage for concealed carry across the Southeast and beyond

"We Are Safety FANATICS!" – This isn't marketing copy. It's their actual operating principle.

Their curriculum covers real ammunition knowledge—not internet nonsense. Here's what gets covered:

• •Case – Brass, nickel, or steel housing
• •Primer – The ignition source (look for the dimple on the cartridge base)
• •Powder – The propellant that creates velocity
• •Projectile – The actual bullet (technically, it's the only part that's called a bullet)

• •Key point: "9mm" doesn't describe a round precisely—it's shorthand. The actual cartridge is 9x19mm (also called 9mm Luger or 9mm Parabellum). Other 9mm cartridges exist (9x18 Makarov, 9x21 Largo) but are uncommon in the US.

• •Hollow Point (HP) – Expands on impact, creates drag, stops the round inside the target. Used by professionals and civilians for defense because it's actually safer than ball ammo (less likely to overpenetrate and hit unintended targets).

• •Soft Point (SP) – Exposed lead tip. Expands less than hollow points but more than full metal jacket.

• •Boat Tail (BT) – Tapered rear end stabilizes the projectile in flight. Common in precision ammunition.

• •Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) – Entire bullet covered in metal jacket. Notorious for overpenetration through targets, walls, and vehicles—which is why it's NOT recommended for home defense.

• •Armor Piercing (AP) – Has alloy core instead of lead. Federal law prohibits civilian possession during commission of crimes of violence. Note: Most rifle rounds above .22 caliber will penetrate standard police soft body armor (IIIA/Kevlar). True "armor piercing" ammo only applies to military-grade ceramic plate armor (SAPI plates).

Ball ammunition sounds harmless but is dangerous for defense because it passes through targets and strikes unintended objects. Hollow points sound sinister but are actually far safer for home defense.

Their instructors cover Title 18, Chapter 44 of US Federal Code—the laws that actually matter:

Title 18, Section 922(g) prohibits firearm possession by:

• •Anyone convicted of a felony (crime with >1 year imprisonment)
• •Unlawful users of controlled substances
• •Anyone adjudicated mentally defective or involuntarily committed
• •Dishonorably discharged service members
• •Undocumented immigrants
• •Anyone under a restraining order for harassment/stalking of intimate partner or child
• •Anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence

Violating these prohibitions carries up to 10 years federal imprisonment.

• •Firearm must be unloaded
• •Firearm and ammunition must not be readily accessible from the passenger compartment
• •Must be in a locked container (not glove compartment or console)
• •For any lawful purpose, you're entitled to transport from one place to another

• •Knowingly possessing a firearm in a federal facility: up to 1 year imprisonment
• •With intent to commit a crime: up to 5 years
• •In a federal courtroom: up to 2 years
• •Exemptions exist for law enforcement and lawful hunting

You CAN carry a concealed firearm in a school zone IF your state/county has licensed you to carry—which is exactly why the 18-hour permit class exists.

Their core service is meeting New York's mandate: you need training before you get a permit. The 18-hour NRA course is the approved way to satisfy this requirement for:

• •Herkimer County
• •Madison County
• •Lewis County
• •Oneida County

• •Critical note: Nothing on their site applies to New York City or its five boroughs—NYC has separate (much stricter) rules.

They're transparent about what they're NOT: attorneys. Firearms laws change. Court interpretations shift. You're ultimately responsible for verifying that information is current in your jurisdiction.

"It would be a challenge for any average citizen to interpret these five hurdles [Federal Law, State Law, County Law, City Law, and issuing authority] and attempt to comply without expert legal counsel."

That's why they exist—to navigate the training requirement correctly so you can apply for your permit with confidence.

• •Phone: 315-749-5638
• •Email: [email protected]
• •Websites: Handgunn.com | PistolBasics101.com

Last updated: April 27, 2024