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St. Lawrence County legislators want sheriff to issue pistol permits rather than County Court Judge Richards

Posted 5/15/16

By JIMMY LAWTON CANTON -- St. Lawrence County legislators would like the sheriff to take over the duty of issuing pistol permits. It’s the latest in an ongoing effort from county legislators to end …

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St. Lawrence County legislators want sheriff to issue pistol permits rather than County Court Judge Richards

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County legislators would like the sheriff to take over the duty of issuing pistol permits.

It’s the latest in an ongoing effort from county legislators to end a long standing policy by County Court Judge Jerome Richards to put restrictions on nearly all of the conceal carry permits he approves.

Legislator Joel LaPierre is among those leading the efforts. He said a similar move by Ulster County, which has a bill being floated in the state legislature now.

“We are trying to get rid of Judge Richards issuing the licenses,” he said. “As far as we are concerned it’s a constitutional right carry concealed, but he has taken it upon himself to decide that people can’t.”

LaPierre said he believes the Ulster County bill was introduced by a Democratic legislator, which could increase the odds it will clear state hurtles.

To move things forward, legislators directed County Attorney Stephen Button to look into the Ulster County effort and see if St. Lawrence County could pursue similar actions or join other counties that are interested in similar measures.

In June 2015 legislators passed a law that they’d hoped would aid in allowing eligible citizens to acquire unrestricted carry-and-conceal pistol licenses.

The legislators sought to define the term “proper cause” as it applies to unrestricted handgun permit rules. The law says “proper cause” should mean “any legitimate reason, a circumstance or combinations of circumstances justifying the granting of a privilege.” The idea is to limit Judge Richards’ discretion. However, that law seems to have had no significant impact on Richards’ actions.

St. Lawrence County Chairman John Burke said he is supportive the efforts to have fewer restrictions placed on pistol permits.