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Westchester wants police to license guns

Westchester's state representatives say they'll push for a special law that would put county police in charge of pistol license applications and require handgun owners to renew their license every five years.

The move, which would eliminate the county clerk and courts from the process, is part of County Executive Andrew Spano's 2007 state legislation wish list. The complete legislative package is being reviewed by the county Board of Legislators and will most likely be forwarded to Albany next month.

Under the proposal, county police would be responsible for all steps of the pistol licensing process, including record keeping, background checks, applicant interviews and ultimately deciding on whether to grant the license. Currently, applications are made to the county clerk, who sends it to county police. Police conduct background checks and interviews and forward a report and recommendation to a county judge for final action.

Westchester's proposal is similar to what is already in place in New York City and Suffolk and Nassau counties. Although handgun owners in Westchester must recertify their permit every five years, license-holders in Nassau and Suffolk are required to renew their licenses by reapplying every five years. New York City license holders must renew every three years.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said last month that he would support Spano's proposal and introduce the legislation in the assembly.

State Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer said that she would "carry the bill in the Senate."

"I think it's always beneficial when we can consolidate government processes," she said. "Right now it's pretty convoluted for gun licenses, with clerks, police and judges all involved. It's a pretty inefficient way to run government."

Also against the county proposal is state Supreme Court Justice J. Emmett Murphy, who described it as an "answer in search of a problem."

"You have the frustrating problem of illegal guns and gun violence, and then you have legal permit holders - homeowners, business owners, responsible people. Virtually none of them commit crimes," he said, "but this administration wants to subject them to silly hurdles and make life difficult for them. I have a problem with that.''