Pistol Permits

Obtaining a Pistol License

1. Print the COUNTY APPLICATION (.pdf) form double-sided.    COMPLETE ALL PAGES. THE FOUR CHARACTER REFERENCES MUST COMPLETE THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE FORMS.  
2. A postal money order in the amount of $25.00 (payable to DCSO) must be mailed in with your application packet.  ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
3. Any handwritten applications MUST be in BLACK INK.
4. Follow the directions on the County Application.
5. Abbreviations may only be used if there is not enough space for a complete word.
6. Do not sign or notarize the bottom of the 3 State Application Forms. This will be done the day of your appointment. 

Amendments to Your License

Directions for filling out and mailing in your Amendment form:

1. Complete Amendment (.pdf) form starting with your Name, Date of Birth, Drivers License Number, Street, Town and County.  Add pistol license number and date issued.
2. Check the appropriate transaction.
3. If you are adding a gun to your license fill in the box below #3 on your amendment form with the appropriate information, which can be found on your Bill of Sale.
4. If you are changing your name or address, fill in the appropriate lines. Your previous name and address should be used in the boxes at the top of the amendment form.
5. Answer the "no/yes" question at the bottom of the form
6. Sign in the right hand box.
7. Provide Pistol Bureau with the following:  Completed Amendment Form
   • A copy of your Pistol License 
   • A copy of your Bill of Sale
8. Send in check or money order for fees. (checks can be made out to “DCSO”)

Fees:

• $3.00 per amendment form regardless of the number of changes.
• $10.00 card fee for each card required (card limits 6 guns per card).
• Total $13 regardless of the amount of amendments being made to your firearm license.
• If you require more than one (1) card, please call for fee schedule.

Send in completed form and payment to:

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Pistol Permits
108 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601      

Amnesty Law

When a Pistol Permit Holder is deceased, the executor or administrator of the estate must dispose of the handguns within 15 days to a dealer, a valid Pistol Permit Holder, or any Police Department.  The issuing agency must be provided with transfer documentation and a certificate of death.

Any person that is in possession of an unregistered gun may voluntarily surrender it to any Police Department (under the Police Departments terms) and will be granted amnesty from prosecution for Unlawful Possession of an illegal firearm. Before you surrender a firearm in this manner you must contact the Police Agency you wish to surrender the firearm to.

Firearm Safety

• Treat every firearm as if it was loaded.
• Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. 
• Always keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard unless you intend to fire the weapon.

Buying and Selling Hand Guns

Frank Letizia, Detective Sheriff

Request for Pistol Permit Transfer from Dutchess County (.pdf)

Buying Handguns

• Amendments to your pistol license can be done in person or through the mail. If you are coming in person you must have your Pistol License with you as well as your Drivers License to enter the building
• A dealer (FFL) receipt must be provided for review by the pistol permit office. The receipt should include the Make, Model, Caliber and Serial Number as well as whether the firearm is a revolver or semi-automatic of each gun you are adding/removing.
• Private sales are no longer authorized. "Co-Owning" firearms are authorized between spouses residing at the same address and domestic partners residing at the same address and from a parent to a child only. 
• You will receive your new permit and purchase coupon in the mail. Waiting times on this can vary, you will be advised by the clerk.

Selling Your Handguns

If you sell a handgun the dealer (FFL) must give you a receipt reflecting this sale.

• When you sell a handgun, you must come to the Pistol Permit Office to remove the gun from your license or mail in a completed amendment form. You must provide a receipt from a dealer(FFL)
• Remember, when you sell a gun you are responsible for having it removed from your license.
• All Pistol Permit holders should, as a matter of business, keep copies of all transactions that they have done, whether buying or selling handguns.
• Any firearms purchased must be done so within New York State. It is illegal to transport a gun purchased outside New York State into New York State. If you purchase a gun from outside of New York State, you must have a FFL Dealer ship it to another FFL Dealer in New York State. You will then be provided with a receipt from the New York State Dealer so that you can then legally register the gun in New York State.

Amnesty Law

• When a Pistol Permit Holder is deceased, the executer or administrator of the estate must dispose of the handguns within 15 days to a dealer, a valid Pistol Permit Holder, or any Police Department.  The issuing agency must be provided with transfer documentation and a certificate of death. 
• Any person that is in possession of an unregistered gun may voluntarily surrender it to any Police Department (under the Police Departments terms) and will be granted amnesty from prosecution for Unlawful Possession of an illegal firearm. Before you surrender a firearm in this manner you must contact the Police Agency you wish to surrender the firearm to.

Firearm Safety

• Treat every firearm as if it was loaded.
• Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard unless you intend to fire the weapon.

Training & Gun Law Publications

• Dutchess County does not require any training classes, but highly recommends them for your safety as well as others. For a list of agencies who provide training in gun law and safety please contact us. 
• Looseleaf Law publishes New York’s Firearms and Weapons Laws, which is a complete and authoritative guide to New York’s gun laws.  Please write or call:
  • Looseleaf Law Publications Inc.
    P.O. Box 650042
    Fresh Meadows, NY 11365-0042
    (800) 647-5547 or 24 hr. fax (718) 539-0941

Contact Us

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office
Pistol Permit Bureau
108 Parker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Exemption Form (.pdf)
NYS Firearms License Request for Public Records Exemption. Once you have completed the form, please return it by mail or in person to:

Bradford Kendall 
Dutchess County Clerk 
22 Market Street 
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M., Excluding Holidays

A locked drop box is also available for completed applications and amendment forms in the main lobby 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If there is inclement weather, please call before coming

Have questions?

Call us: 845-486-3883 or 845-486-3800

Fax: 845-486-3838

E-mail: DCPistolBureau@dutchessny.gov