People ex rel. Dixon v. Lewis

Section 1897 of the Penal Law provides that “ A person * * * who * * * possesses a * * * pistol * * * is guilty of a misdemeanor, and if he has been previously convicted of any crime he is guilty of a felony.”

Section 1898 of that statute provides that “ The possession, by any person other than a public officer,” of a pistol, “ is presumptive evidence of * * * possessing with intent to use the same in violation of this article.” Of course, that means with injury to another. The statute provides for the issuance of a permit to-lawfully possess a pistol, on prescribed conditions.

Section 1898-a…