Fox 40 has reported that local law enforcement officials are reporting record high numbers for gun permit applications in Southern Tier counties. In the second part of our series "High Noon: Rights vs. Regulation," we look at who is applying for these guns and why.


In his January State of the State address, Governor Andrew Cuomo stated, "we were right when we passed common-sense gun safety laws. New York now has the smartest gun laws in the nation."


That speech might have been delivered in Albany but its impact was felt here in The Southern Tier.


"Every time a politician talks about restricting gun laws...it always flares them up," said Deputy Brian Curtis of the Broome County Sheriff's Department.


"People now say I want my handgun, you can't take my rights away from me," said Sheriff Ernest Cutting, Chenango County.


Record numbers of women are applying for permits in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Tioga Counties


In 2012, Governor Cuomo passed the SAFE Act after the Sandy Hook shootings putting into place sweeping gun restrictions.


Sheriff's offices around The Southern Tier started seeing its backlash.


Fast forward to today, concerns over losing second amendment rights on top the renewed threat of terrorism brought on by ISIS are behind the long lines for pistol permits.