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Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski on Monday reminded pistol permitholders that, under the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (SAFE) of Jan. 15, 2013, they must recertify every five years with the New York State Police. That means those who either received their permit or recertified in 2017 must now recertify by the date of issuance on their permit.
“Regardless of how many of us feel about the SAFE Act, it is the law and so I do not want to see any law-abiding pistol permitholders put their permits in jeopardy by failing to recertify,” Jastrzemski said. “And if anyone from previous years has forgotten to recertify, they should do so immediately. “
Jastrzemski said those who need to recertify should go to the State Police recertification website at https://safeact.ny.gov/pistol-permit-recertification.
“While in a typical year there may be around 1,500 to 2,000 permitholders in Niagara County who need to recertify, this particular year catches all gun owners prior the SAFE Act being enacted, meaning there are more than 10 times the usual number,” Jastrzemski said. “The State Police did inform my office that the online system has seen a significant amount of traffic, so permitholders may want to consider recertifying during off times – perhaps early in the morning or later in the evening.
Jastrzemski said those who may have problems with the online certification can download a form from the site and mail it into the State Police. He recommended those who choose this option do so via certified mail. He noted that those issued permits after 2017, or who already recertified less than five years ago, should not attempt to recertify early.
“I remind the public that the Niagara County Pistol Permit Office does not have any role in the certification process nor access to the state system; so if you call our office about recertification, you will be directed to the state police website,” Jastrzemski said.