BUFFALO, N.Y. — With some New York gun regulations changing on Sept. 1, Erie County will extend the hours of the clerk's outreach center for people to submit pistol permits ahead of that deadline.
When those gun reforms go into effect, there will be added requirements for approving pistol permits.
That includes additional paperwork, yearly training, and a personal meeting with the county licensing officer.
With the looming changes some people have been rushing to get their permit before Thursday. Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski has seen long lines this week.
"Last night we had two gentlemen start standing in line at 8 p.m. all through the night. Most of the people were there at 3, 4, 5 a.m. It just went around the court house there were over 250 people in line when I came to work this morning," Jastrzemski said.
On Wednesday the Erie County Clerk's outreach center will have extended hours again, staying open from 9 a.m. to midnight.
"Once again, my job is just to make sure that everyone has an opportunity that wants to submit prior to August 31, I'm going to give them that opportunity with the extra time," Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns said.