Opinion
June 24, 1993
Upon being charged with the crime of assault in the third degree, petitioner's pistol permit was revoked. Petitioner did not challenge the revocation. When the charge was ultimately dismissed, petitioner applied to have his permit restored. Respondent denied this application on the basis of petitioner's criminal record. Petitioner then commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding claiming that respondent's determination was arbitrary and capricious.
Pursuant to Penal Law § 400.00 (1), a permit cannot be issued or renewed if the applicant has been "convicted anywhere of a felony or a serious offense". Part of petitioner's criminal record shows a conviction in 1985 for criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree. This crime is specifically defined as a serious offense in Penal Law § 265.00 (17) (b). Under the circumstances, the denial of petitioner's application was mandatory (see, Matter of Covell v. Aison, 153 A.D.2d 1001, lv denied 74 N.Y.2d 1001; Matter of Schnell v. Spano, 120 A.D.2d 669). The fact that petitioner may have once had a permit is not significant given that that permit was erroneously granted. Moreover, based on the record before us, it was not arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion for respondent to deny the application (see, Matter of Fromson v Nelson, 178 A.D.2d 479; Matter of Covell v. Aison, supra; Matter of Schnell v. Spano, supra; Matter of Colin v. People, 92 A.D.2d 697, 698).
Although criminal possession of stolen property is now a class D felony, in 1985 it was a class A misdemeanor (Penal Law former § 165.40). Even in 1985, however, this crime was a serious offense as defined in Penal Law § 265.00 (17) (b).
Weiss, P.J., Yesawich Jr., Levine, Mercure and Mahoney, JJ., concur. Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.