County Clerk Michael P. Kearns and County Legislator John Mills have announced a pistol permit recertification outreach will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 19th at Concord Public Library, 18 Chapel St., Springville

The Clerk, Legislator and staff from the County Clerk’s Office will be available to answer any questions regarding the recertification process.  Hard copies of the recertification forms will be made available at the outreach.

“I understand there are many people who disagree with and are frustrated with the NY SAFE Act. However, with the deadline for re-certification fast approaching, I do not want to see any citizen lose their pistol permit because they did not re-certify their license. I have made resources available at the County Clerk’s Office to assist with re-certification. I encourage all pistol permit holders to re-certify as soon as possible,” said Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns. 

“I would like to thank Clerk Kearns for hosting these outreaches. Though I strongly disagree with the SAFE Act, it’s important pistol permit holders know the rules and regulations so they can continue to lawfully own their firearms,” said Legislator John Mills (R-Orchard Park). Because of provisions in the NY SAFE Act, pistol permit holders who received their permit prior to January 15, 2013 must re-certify with the New York State Police by January 31st, 2018. This is the first year this requirement is in place. Over 50,000 pistol permit holders in Erie County have yet to re-certify.

Those needing to recertify can pick up hard copies of the state’s recertification form at each auto bureau in Erie County and at the Pistol Permit Office. Those forms must be mailed to the New York State Police, Pistol Permit Bureau, Building 22, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12226-2252.

Additionally, 20 computer stations located at Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin St., Buffalo are available with a direct link to the pistol permit re-certification website (www.troopers.ny.gov/firearms).

Further pistol permit re-certification outreaches will be held across the county in the coming weeks, dates and locations will be announced shortly.

Anyone with questions about the outreach or recertification process can call Clerk Kearns Office at (716) 858-8866.