IMPORTANT NOTICE

PISTOL PERMIT RE-CERTIFICATION DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING!

Kearns makes re-certification stations available at Erie County Clerk’s Office

BUFFALO-    Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns is announcing that computer stations are being made available at the Erie County Clerk’s Office for pistol permit re-certification. Kearns is joined by Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard in urging pistol permit holders in Erie County to re-certify their permits. According to the NY SAFE Act, any New York State pistol permit issued before January 15th, 2013 must be re-certified with NYS Police prior to January 31st, 2018. This is the first year this requirement is going into effect. With just six weeks left, it is estimated that there are about 50,000 pistol permit holders in Erie County who have not re-certified their permits.

“I understand there are many people who disagree with and are frustrated with the NY SAFE Act. As a NYS Assemblyman I voted against the SAFE Act. However, with the deadline fast approaching, I do not want to see any citizen lose their pistol permit because they did not re-certify their license and that is why I am making the tools and resources at the Clerk’s office readily available to anyone needing to re-certify,” said Kearns.

“Our right to bear arms is a fundamental American right, and although I remain opposed to the SAFE Act and its attack on the 2nd Amendment, I urge you not to give up your right to own pistols and handguns by failing to recertify your permit,” said Sheriff Howard. “It is unclear how New York State will enforce this moving forward, but you shouldn’t forfeit your right by not complying with the requirement by January 31, and I am thrilled that your County government is providing resources to help you in the recertification process.”

Twenty public computer stations located at Erie County Hall now have a direct link to the pistol permit re-certification website available on the station’s desktop. Hard copies of the state’s re-certification form will be available at each Auto Bureau in Erie County and at the Pistol Permit Office. Those forms must be mailed to:

New York State Police
Pistol Permit Bureau
Building 22
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12226-2252

It is recommended to mail the re-certification form to State Police using a tractable format such as Certified Mail. Forms submitted electronically will receive an emailed confirmation. Additionally, if you need a listing of your registered hand guns, one can be obtained from the Pistol Permit Office free of charge.

According to the NY SAFE Act, failure to re-certify within the prescribed period “shall act as a revocation of such license” which may result in the seizure of all firearms.

Any NYS pistol permits issued on or after January 15th, 2013 will need to be re-certified 5 years from the ‘date of issue’.

Link to NYS Pistol Permit Recertification

https://troopers.ny.gov/Firearms/