CERTIFICATE OF NON-DESTRUCTION
From time to time, handguns are found in the county or brought into the county under circumstances that are not criminal in nature, such as finding a handgun among possessions of a deceased licensee or purchased/brought from another state. Penal Law Section 400.05 requires destruction of weapons that are not properly registered. Persons possessing such unlicensed handguns can be arrested, therefore, the weapon(s) should be turned into the Sheriff’s Department for safe keeping and proper registration of the handgun can be obtained. A procedure has been established to permit individuals a means of applying for a Certificate of Non-Destruction from the County Court. Individuals can apply for this by either contacting the Pistol Permit Clerk or the sheriff’s Department. Once a weapons check has been completed by the Sheriff’s Department, the Sheriff will submit his recommendation at which point, the Judge may sign the Certificate of Non-Destruction. The individual will be contacted to complete the process by having the weapon registered on their permit or that of a licensed individual.