Many counties in New York will allow law-abiding citizens to apply for pistol permits in order to conceal and carry permitted firearms on their person.

The purpose for this is to vet people wishing to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms and protect themselves and their loved ones.

However, for some reason, in Rockland County, the legislators and judges have deemed it necessary to place extra-legal restrictions on such pistol permits. Hindering law-abiding citizens from exercising their constitutional rights and ability to defend themselves. This takes form in the Sportsman Restriction to the Rockland County Pistol Permit.

Although Rockland county citizens need to go through extensive screenings, fingerprinting, and a sheriff-led pistol safety course, judges in the county will still place the sportsman restriction on the permits they issue. Then one can only buy firearms once a judge has signed off on each individual purchase! Many citizens are not even clear as to what the restrictions entail but are told as follows: Permit holders can only carry their firearms to and from the range or lawful activity (hunting, etc.). They cannot carry their legally owned and permitted firearms to work, church, or synagogue. In fact, when consulting Rockland County Law enforcement, people will receive different answers as to what the restrictions entail (don't take my word, try it yourself). Basically, the sportsman restriction prevents vetted, law-abiding permit holders from carrying their firearms to protect themselves. However, some judges have been known to remove the restrictions upon request (after exorbitant attorney's fees) and proof that the person is carrying their firearm during business hours and they handle a lot of cash (!).

Therefore, many law abiding citizens who spend 6+ months attaining a pistol permit in Rockland will still be unable to carry their firearm on a daily basis and use it to protect themselves.

In light of recent attacks on Jewish people and minorities around the country, especially attacks on churches and synagogues, there has been an increase in law-abiding citizens seeking to obtain the necessary permits and firearms to protect themselves and their loved ones. However, the judges and legislators in Rockland are quicker to remove the restrictions from the pistol permit of a man who carries a lot of cash than from the permit from a rabbi or pastor seeking to protect their congregants from attack and harm.

This petition is to show the local Sheriff's department and our elected judges and officials, that enough is enough. We need to be able to defend ourselves and not be caught as "sitting ducks". If citizens of Rockland County have gone through the grueling, and I mean grueling, Pistol Permit process in this county, then applying extra "Sportsman" restrictions to such permits are not just unfair, but they are arguably criminal! Preventing law-abiding citizens from exercising their rights, as well as, giving the illusion that we are protected when we cannot even carry our firearms out of our homes unless we are heading to a shooting range!

Please sign on to this petition so we can all stand together and say ENOUGH!

Extra-legal restrictions on pistol permits must be removed! If one is vetted and receives a permit from the Rockland County Sheriff, no judge should be able to dictate where and when that citizen can use their firearm to protect themselves.

It is time to put an end to the Sportsman (and Business) restrictions to Rockland County Pistol Permits! LET US DEFEND OURSELVES!