Michigan was like that when I got my first handguns. Pre-permit, then submit the weapon to the local sheriff for inspection, then submit to fingerprinting. That was just to “keep.” It was as onerous as NY to bear. Needed character references known to the sheriff, lots of $$, background check, and that was just to be able to carry while hunting or fishing, not good at any other time or place.
Similar Rigamarole there culminating in being cross examined by the local chief about why I needed a 357. I said simple. I wanted the same gun I carried at work except in stainless (model 66 verses model 19 S&W). I was a fed then. So he signed it. Some equal of a square badge lording over me albeit I made more felony arrests in past year than he did in his entire career.