Envious would be more accurate. There were 30k+ carries in NYC in 1980 and are about 3k now. So! I guess you're happy that you're privileged to have one and I'm not. Sounds a bit elitist to me, but I don't really know you, so it's only a guess.
Not at all "elitist". I follow the law to the letter. You have to, especially with something like this. The vast majority of the gun regulations in New York State do not pertain to firearms, per se (although, as you know, there is a list of proscribed firearms), but involve rather the technical and procedural aspects of obtaining the permits. It's this often bewildering array of purposely-constructed obstacles that causes most people to lose their permits; there's always another "new" form to fill in that you didn't have to previously, etc.
You can have your application rejected for obvious reasons (you have a criminal record, history of potentially dangerous mental issues, no reasonable "need" to carry, etc), but more often than not, most people have their permits squashed or denied for a variety of petty (but legally valid) reasons: there's something crossed out on your app, they can't read your handwriting, you missed the ever-changing hours at the registry office at 1PP, etc.
I personaly don't agree with the majority of those obstacles, but they are the law in this state, passed by an elected legislature. Most of the bitc*ing I hear on this subject has to do with the pain-in-the-a** paperwork, the amount of effort required to obtain it, keep it current and to keep current with the changes in law. You almost have to be a lawyer to keep it all straight. I will admit that since my father was a NYPD officer, I do know a gazillion cops (current and retired), and while I never ask them for any personal favors (Dad would roll over in his grave, probably rise from it and kick my a**, too, if I ever did), I do sometimes get a "heads-up" here and there, but nothing like "inside information". Quite frankly, I don't even carry my pistols anymore, and barely drag my long arms out anymore (I might shoot skeet every few months, but that's it).
I'd honestly sell the weapons I have (except for my shotgun!), but you know that selling them is often a bigger headache than just keeping them. Since we're put in that position, and I'm more or less forced to keep 'em (the alternative is to turn them in), it's better to comply with the law in every way I can.
My sympathies, but I have to believe there was something (other than personal animosity) involved that caused your permits to be withdrawn, and you haven't spelled it out, so I can't form a judgement as to whether it was fair or not or constituted a violation of the law.