The Broome County Sheriff's Office has been a crowded place in recent days as people apply for concealed weapon permits before new regulations take effect.

New York residents who want to avoid the additional requirements must apply for a concealed carry license before Thursday.

Sheriff David Harder said there's been "a big jam" of people who want to file their paperwork at the department's headquarters in the town of Dickinson.

A stack of folders containing pistol permit applications at the Broome County Sheriff's Office on August 30, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A stack of folders containing pistol permit applications at the Broome County Sheriff's Office on August 30, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Speaking during a WNBF News interview Tuesday, Harder said people "actually started arriving at quarter of seven this morning and the pistol permit office doesn't open until 8:30."

The new state regulations will require applicants to provide a list of former and current social media accounts for the last three years. Posts will be reviewed to determine whether people seeking a permit are of "good moral character."

Those seeking a concealed carry license will face a 15-minute in-person interview before an application is approved. The law also mandates a 16-hour classroom and two-hour live-fire gun safety training course.

Pistol permit records stored in card files are being entered into computer files. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Pistol permit records stored in card files are being entered into computer files. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Retired law enforcement officers also will need to apply for a concealed carry license.

Harder said the rush of people seeking permits before the new law takes effect has created a backlog for the pistol permit office.

The sheriff said his office processes at least 800 permits a year. He notes a judge will be required to have a face-to-face interview with every applicant.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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