Revocation of Pistol Permit Upheld Despite Petitioner’s Acquittal on Related Criminal Charges—No Formal Revocation Hearing Is Required

In affirming the revocation of a pistol permit, the Third Department explained the criteria for review.  Here the petitioner had displayed a weapon during an altercation with a neighbor and had been acquitted of the related menacing charges.  The Third Department noted that no formal revocation hearing is required as long as petitioner has notice of the charges and an opportunity to respond:

There is no question that “[r]espondent [the judge who revoked the permit] is vested with broad discretion in determining whether to revoke a pistol permit and may do so for any good cause, including a finding that the petitioner lack[s] the essential temperament or character which should be present in one entrusted with a dangerous instrument. . . , or that he or she does not possess the maturity, prudence, carefulness, good character, temperament, demeanor and judgment necessary to have a pistol permit” … . No formal revocation hearing is required, and due process will be satisfied where the petitioner has been provided with notice of the charges and afforded an adequate opportunity to respond thereto … . Upon review, “respondent’s resolution of factual issues and credibility assessments are accorded deference, and the determination will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion or a showing that [such determination] was made in an arbitrary and capricious manner” … . Matter of DeAngelo v Burns, 2015 NY Slip Op 00669, 3rd Dept 1-29-15