Concealed Carry in New York: Permits, Legal Risks, and Why Gun Owners Need to Vote

In this episode of Behind the Holster, Jody Picou is joined by New York-based concealed carry instructor KC Brown — along with fellow trainers Matt Wheeler and Yates Crawford — to challenge one of the most common assumptions in the firearm community: that New York is impossible to navigate as a gun owner.KC Brown has trained hundreds of students across New York State, and he brings a grounded, experience-backed perspective on what the permit process actually looks like, what the legal risks are, and what responsible concealed carry requires in a state with some of the strictest firearm laws in the country. The conversation covers the legal landscape in depth — including why self-defense liability insurance is illegal under New York State law, why a self-defense shooting can cost upward of $1.5 million in legal fees, and why KC tells every student to have a defense attorney's number saved in their phone before they ever need it.The episode also gets into something KC is particularly passionate about: voting. He shares a striking statistic — over three million registered gun owners in New York chose not to vote in the last governor's election. The panel discusses why political engagement is just as much a part of responsible gun ownership as training, storage, and situational awareness.Speaking of training, KC makes the case that knowing how to draw and fire is only a small portion of what it means to truly protect yourself and your family. A 360-degree approach includes de-escalation, conflict management, child access prevention, and knowing when not to use a firearm at all. The 18-hour New York State requirement is a starting point — not a finish line.The group also tackles the unique challenges of teaching first-time gun owners in a state where many students have never touched a firearm before arriving in the classroom, and what instructors can do to build trust, change perceptions, and set students up for long-term success.Behind the Holster is educational, approachable, and judgment-free – focused on protection, not politics. Whether you're brand new to firearms or have years of experience carrying, this podcast is here to help you better understand gun safety, personal protection, and the responsibilities that come with owning and carrying a firearm.For more information, as well as in-person and online training options and additional firearm safety resources, visit the Concealed Coalition website: https://www.concealedcoalition.com/?c=23186&s1=newyorkconcealedcarryConnect with us on social media!Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ConcealedCoalitionIG: https://www.instagram.com/concealedcoalition/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@concealedcoalitionX: https://x.com/TheCCCoalition 00:00  Introduction: Concealed Carry in New York 00:30  Overview of NY Gun Laws & Recent Changes 01:40  New York Concealed Carry Permit Requirements 03:10  Training Standards (18-Hour Requirement) 04:40  Permit Processing Times by County 06:10  Cost of Self-Defense Legal Defense in NY 07:40  Self-Defense Insurance Restrictions 09:10  Real Legal Risks for Gun Owners 10:40  360° Approach to Personal Protection 12:10  Training Beyond Permit Requirements 13:40  Gun Ownership Responsibility & Preparedness 15:10  Voting & Political Impact on Gun Laws 16:40  Reciprocity & Travel Considerations 18:10  Final Takeaways for NY Gun Owners Support the show