Apparently the BOP will give no staff support if they have to use a handgun off duty. They are afraid to get their hands dirty by standing by their own staff. New York State basically says, "We don't CARE what HR218 says, You get to file for a permit just like everyone else. I had an exemplary record after 27 years (11 as a Lieutenant) and it STILL took me 9 months to get a permit. THAT is the single most important reason people don't follow the law - it's just too difficult to do in the red tape jungle... so the state makes criminals out of many who are just ordinary citizens trying to protect themselves fro real criminal elements.