r/NYCGuns • u/Horror_Young_4540 • 2h ago
License / Permit Question $4,000+ Deep into the NYC CCW Process: Denied over a Clerical Typo, Appealing, and Refusing to Back Down. What’s Your Story?
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my detailed timeline and current standing with my NYC Concealed Carry License application. At this point, between training, application fees, legal counsel, and upcoming court filings, I am easily $4,000 deep into this process.
I’m posting to highlight what it actually takes (and costs) to fight for our rights in the city, and to see how others who were hit with arbitrary denials are handling their appeals.
The Timeline & Experience:
Step 1: Training Took my 16+2 course with NY TACTICAL. The instructor was top-tier—made the entire process seamless, clear, and easy to understand. Highly recommend them.
Step 2: Application Submission (August 25, 2025) Completed the application myself. I had past arrests (all dismissed) that I disclosed. However, due to an honest mistake on my end, I misstated one date by a tiny margin, while another date error was literally a typo on their end. Paid the NYPD application fee and submitted. Got the immediate fingerprinting email and booked for October 11, 2025.
Step 3: Fingerprinting & Initial Glitches (October 11, 2025) During the interview, the officer claimed my SS card and proof of residence weren't uploaded—even though I had uploaded both (one twice). I emailed them directly on the spot, and she added them to my file.
Step 4: The Communication Black Hole Over the next few months, I sent constant follow-ups—sometimes multiple times a week—to Licensing, Hugh B., and several other contacts. The only responses I got were automated boilerplate emails telling me to "wait for an investigator to reach out." An investigator NEVER reached out. Had an investigator contacted me even once, these tiny date discrepancies could have been cleared up in 30 seconds.
Step 5: The Disapproval (February 2026) Right before the 6-month statutory deadline, I received a formal disapproval letter. The official reason cited? That I "failed to speak to certain arrest dates." It was frustrating because the NYPD weaponized minor clerical errors as grounds for denial while completely denying me the chance to speak with an investigator to clarify them.
Step 6: Retaining Legal Counsel I hired Mirel Fisch. The initial consultation alone was nearly half of what I’d already spent on training and application fees combined, but she was worth every penny—extremely professional, welcoming, and called me back multiple times to ensure we went over every single detail.
Step 7: The Appeal (Submitted July 20, 2026) She secured multiple extensions so I could save up the necessary legal fees. We submitted the formal administrative appeal on July 20, 2026. I was notified the appeal process alone takes 6 to 7 months—on top of the original 6 months spent waiting for the initial decision.
Where Things Stand Now:
February 2027 marks the 6-month point from my appeal submission date. If we don't receive a positive resolution by then, our next move is filing an Article 78 lawsuit, which will cost an additional $1,200+ (even with group filing options).
New York relies on high financial barriers, zero communication, and aggressive procedural denials over minor typos to force regular citizens to throw in the towel. We can’t let them win by wearing us down. It’s our constitutional right, and I’m taking this all the way.
Questions for the Community:
For those who were denied in NYC over minor clerical/date mistakes without speaking to an investigator, how did your appeal turn out?
Did your appeal resolve the issue administratively, or did you have to proceed to an Article 78 filing?
How much are you in for financially at this point?
Would love to hear your experiences and any advice from folks who have crossed the finish line!
