Bribery for gun permits is also very common in NYC. It's well known that you either have to employ ex-NYPD in some capacity to get a gun permit, or pay cash. Maybe it's slowed down since some high profile arrests in 2017.
This is exactly why governments love red tape and "oversight". When you have to come to GOVERNMENT to ask for permission, they can make it worth it for them.
No surprise this is so prevalent in NYC and Santa Clara. They can deceive people that the strong requirements is under the guise of gun control or some such.
https://abc7ny.com/nypd-police-corruption-investigation/1914...
DAs don't like investigating cops.