BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — In his studio in Eden, James Emmick owner of Firearms Training of Western New York teaches online pistol permit, active shooter and conceal and carry classes.
“I want people to leave the class and understand safe and responsible gun ownership is something everyone can achieve,” Emmick said.
Emmick said this summer has been busy. He said he is seeing numbers that are six-times higher than other summers.
Erie County numbers back that up. After dropping off for three straight years— pistol permit applications rose sharply from 2019 to this year. To date— they’re up almost 30-percent.
An election year, a pandemic, and civil unrest-- the reasons Emmick said there are more people considering owning a gun.
“It’s a perfect storm of people saying I want a gun in case I need it,” Emmick said.
Emmick focuses his class on New York State Law, safe storage and transportation of guns, and how to fill out the permit application.
In Erie county, you can mail in your completed application and expect the process to take three to five months.
