Surge in Gun Permit Applications Boosts NYPD’s Bottom Line amid Crime Fears

The fear of crime in New York City has led to a significant increase in gun permit applications, with more than 13,300 New Yorkers applying for licenses to carry guns last year. This near-double increase compared to the previous year has not only raised concerns about public safety but has also boosted the NYPD’s financial bottom line, according to a Daily News analysis.

The surge in gun permit applications comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling took effect, striking down a New York law that required applicants for concealed carry permits to prove they had a “proper cause” to bear a weapon for self-defense purposes. With that law invalidated, New York applicants can now obtain a permit without proving a specific self-defense need, as long as there are no other disqualifying reasons.

David, a firearm consultant who assists New York gun permit seekers, noted that many of his clients are seeking weapons out of fear for their safety. While major crimes in the city have decreased in recent years, they still remain above pre-pandemic levels.

The increase in permit seekers has also raised concerns about the current weapons training requirements for applicants. Gerald Esposito, owner of Esposito’s Custom Guns in Queens, expressed worries about the adequacy of the current training, calling for it to be beefed up to ensure safety.

Despite the surge in gun permit applications, surveys show that New Yorkers continue to worry about crime in the city, which remains above pre-pandemic levels. The NYPD is projected to generate $6.3 million in gun permit application fees this fiscal year, with a significant portion labeled as “additional” cash raised as part of a Program to Eliminate the Gap implemented by Mayor Adams.

As concerns about public safety persist, the NYPD is facing scrutiny over its handling of the surge in gun permit applications. The unit responsible for processing all city gun permits has faced corruption issues in the past, raising questions about whether any anti-corruption protocols have been enacted amid the recent increase in applications.