General Discussion

First of all, I assume you're thinking of a handgun, because you mentioned going out walking. The CCIA (Concealed Carry Improvement Act) of 2022 mandates an 18-hour course for a handgun license. This course is not provided by the state; you will be taking it from private instructors, probably at a gun range, at your own expense. Then you will need several character references, who can't be relatives. (This has always been the case, not just since the CCIA). You will need to be fingerprinted. Your application will be reviewed by a judge, and you will most likely be called in for an interview. Among other things, you will be asked your reason for wanting a handgun. Be calm and respectful, because this judge will have absolute discretion over granting or denying your permit.

Expect the processing of your application to take six to twelve months, depending on what county you live in. When you acquire a handgun, it will need to be listed on your permit. You will bring a receipt of the purchase to your sheriff's office, where you will fill out an amendment form to add this gun to your permit. After a judge has reviewed your amendment, which can take 3 to 6 weeks depending on your county, you will be called back to the sheriff's office and be given a coupon that allows you to take possession of the gun. You will then return to the dealer to complete the transaction. You will have to undergo a NICS check (instant background check) at the dealership before taking possession of the gun.

Rifle and shotgun purchases are much easier, requiring only the NICS check: no permit, no judge sign-off. The exception is semi-auto rifles, which require the same permitting as handguns, but not the approval of each individual purchase. If you think you will ever want a semi-auto rifle, you may as well get that endorsement on your handgun permit; there is no additional training or cost involved.

As for the politics, most gun shops, at least in my part of NY State, aren't vocal about it. They may have some posters on the wall, etc. but they are businesspeople who realize that liberals buy guns too. This is especially true of bigger chain stores, like Gander Mountain, who are more corporate and therefore less overtly political.