The Erie County Sheriff’s Office has dedicated personnel that solely investigate the pistol permit applications for citizens who have applied with the Erie County Clerk's Office for a pistol permit.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office completes the investigations for applicants who reside in the following townships.
| Akron | Alden | Town of East Aurora |
| Blasdell (Certain Areas) | Boston | Bowmansville |
| Buffalo | Chaffee | Cheektowaga |
| Clarence/Clarence Center | Colden | Collins |
| Depew | East Concord | Eden |
| Elma | Farnham | Glenwood |
| Gowanda | Grand Island | Hamburg (Town of) |
| Holland | Lake View | Lancaster |
| Lawtons | Marilla | Newstead |
| North Boston | Sardinia | South Wales |
| Springbrook | Springville | Tonawanda |
| Wales | West Falls | West Seneca |
The average time to process a pistol permit application investigation is currently 6 to 12 months.
Erie County Sheriff’s Office Pistol Permit personnel do not grant or deny pistol permit applications. Their purpose it to investigate the applicant, and to make a recommendation to the Pistol Permit Licensing Officer at the Erie County Clerk’s Office. The licensing officer makes the final determination.
If you have questions regarding your pistol permit application, please click the link below. Your email will be answered in the order it is received.
ecsopistolpermits@erie.gov, or contact by telephone at (716) 858-2485.