Niagara County Clerk Reminds Pistol Permit Holders to Re-Certify

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski today reminded pistol permit holders that under the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (SAFE) of Jan.15, 2013, they must re-certify 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 permit holders put their permits in jeopardy by failing to recertify,” said Jastrzemski.  “And if anyone from previous years has forgotten to recertify, they should do so immediately. “

Jastrzemski said those who need to re-certify should go to the State Police recertification website at https://safeact.ny.gov/pistol-permit-recertification.

“In a typical year there may be around 1500 to 2000 permit holders in Niagara County who need to recertify,” said Jastrzemki.  “But for those who had their initial permits issued before January 15, 2013, they have from now until January 31st of next year (2023) to recertify, meaning there are more than ten times the usual number over the course of the year,” said Jastrzemski.  “The state police did inform my office that the online system has seen a significant amount of traffic so permit holders 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 added 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.”

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