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(UPDATED) School District, Police Dept. Address Incident That Resulted in Suspension of N.Y. Dad's Pistol License
Photo credit: Johnny Milano | Pistol permit applicants wait in line in Yaphank at Suffolk County Police Headquarters, which licenses gun owners. (Newsday)

(UPDATED) School District, Police Dept. Address Incident That Resulted in Suspension of N.Y. Dad's Pistol License

"Please be advised that the Hauppauge Public School District followed appropriate protocols with respect to this matter."

TheBlaze on Thursday broke the story of a New York dad whose pistol license was suspended indefinitely over something his 10-year-old said following a schoolyard incident. Officials have reportedly informed John Mayer, of Commack, N.Y., that he may not get his license back until his son moves out of the house -- which could be 8 years or longer.

In the meantime, he will without any of his handguns as the lack of a pistol license means no right to own a pistol in the Empire State.

Photo credit: Johnny Milano | Pistol permit applicants wait in line in Yaphank at Suffolk County Police Headquarters, which licenses gun owners. (Newsday)

TheBlaze has been in contact with officials with the Hauppauge Public School District and the Suffolk County Police Department in regards to the incident. Neither entity has thus far denied or questioned any part of Mayer's account of events. Further, SCPD has confirmed to TheBlaze that his license has, in fact, been suspended.

On March 1, a teacher at Pines Elementary School reportedly overheard Mayer's son and two fellow students discussing going over to another student's house with a water gun, "paint gun" and BB gun, Mayer told TheBlaze in a recent interview. There had apparently been a schoolyard pushing incident prior to the conversation. The teacher then informed the principal who then called the police and filed a report.

On Friday, the Hauppauge Public School District defended its response to the perceived threat, however, refused to provide any information.

"I am in receipt of your email," Superintendent Pat Kriss wrote in an email to TheBlaze. "Please be advised that the Hauppauge Public School District followed appropriate protocols with respect to this matter.  The District is guided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of students, and thus cannot provide comment relative to any of its students."

A spokesperson with the Suffolk County Police Department told TheBlaze earlier this week that the matter is still being investigated. Despite additional requests, SCPD has not provided any additional information regarding the matter.

“The Suffolk County Police Department Pistol License Bureau is conducting a complete and thorough investigation into the matter. Based upon the investigation, his license has been suspended,” the spokesperson told TheBlaze in an email.

To prevent his firearms from being confiscated by police, Mayer transferred all of his handguns to a friend. He also transferred his long arms to a local gun store out of fear that they too may be confiscated due to the incident.

An SCPD spokesperson told TheBlaze on Friday that "supervisors" are discussing our request for additional information. Should the department respond, this story will be updated.

UPDATE:​ The Suffolk County Police Department responded to TheBlaze's inquiry Friday evening. Though few details were provided, an SCPD spokesperson revealed that police do not believe Mayer "poses a threat to himself or others." The spokesperson, however, did not respond to TheBlaze's question regarding whether police believe his 10-year-old son poses a threat to himself or others.

The department previously confirmed that his pistol license has indeed been suspended, but the spokesperson on Friday clarified, saying no "Final Agency Determination has been made" yet.

Read SCPD's entire statement below:

The Suffolk County Police Department does not believe that John Mayer poses a threat to himself or others.

Due to privacy issues, the Suffolk County Police Department cannot comment on the specifics of the ongoing investigation regarding Mr. Mayer’s pistol license suspension. No Final Agency Determination has been made at this time with respect to the status of Mr. Mayer’s New York State pistol license. The Suffolk County Police Department’s Pistol Licensing Bureau has licensing authority over handguns only.

The Suffolk County Police Department is respectful of, and compliant with, the Second Amendment, New York State law and case law as it pertains to an individual’s right to bear arms. The Suffolk County Police Department also has an obligation to ensure the safety of people in the community, especially children, while this investigation continues.

When a final determination is made, and If Mr. Mayer disagrees with the Department’s Final Agency Determination, he would be entitled to an administrative hearing or other legal recourse in this matter.

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