Ortt Urges Delay in Pistol Recertification Deadline

Today, State Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) called on the governor to delay the NY SAFE Act’s pistol recertification deadline. As outlined in the NY SAFE Act, pistol permit holders who fail to recertify their license by the January 31 deadline will result in having their license revoked.

“Pistol permit holders need to be aware that this deadline is approaching quickly,” said Sen. Ortt. “Individuals who are caught with a pistol and an outdated license will be subject to prosecution as outlined by the NY SAFE Act. While we continue our fight to repeal the constitutionally intrusive NY SAFE Act, we must be aware of the hurdles in our path to victory.”

Sen. Ortt called for a delay to the pistol permit deadline, which would allow the county clerks of this state the appropriate amount time to process recertification requests.

“Many pistol permit holders in my district have yet to receive the proper paperwork alerting them of the need to recertify. We must delay the deadline to avoid what will become a bureaucratic nightmare for residents, law enforcement and local officials,” said Sen. Ortt. 

Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) said, “New York now requires pistol permit holders to recertify every five years and the first deadline is January 31, 2018. Countless residents in my district are unaware of the new changes, so we should allow leeway to residents who aren’t up to date on new regulations. We are asking the governor to extend the deadline for residents to give them sufficient time to recertify their pistols and not lose their permits. With an extension to the recertification deadline, all New Yorkers will have an opportunity to obtain and complete the paperwork needed to update their pistol permits.”

Assemblyman Michael Norris (R,I-Lockport) said, “I am pleased to join Senator Ortt in calling for the extension of the pistol permit recertification deadline which is quickly approaching on January 31, 2018.  Though we remain adamantly opposed to the SAFE Act and continue to fight for its repeal, it important that our constituents are given proper notice and time to complete this process.  This extension request makes common sense and it will also assist local governmental officials deal with the complexities of the recertification process.” 

Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski said, "Gov. Cuomo designed a flawed law five years ago, but even worse, he has failed to properly implement many of its provisions, leaving many law-abiding gun owners at risk of being made into criminals on Feb. 1 and losing access to their Second Amendment rights. Failure to recertify could not only lead to confiscation of legally-owned firearms, but also potentially places pistol permit holders in jeopardy of a Class A misdemeanor prosecution under Section 400.00 of the Penal Law. The state needs to delay--or even permanently suspend--the recertification deadline."

Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns said, “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 Erie County Clerk’s Office to assist with re-certification. I encourage all pistol permit holders to re-certify as soon as possible.”

For questions regarding the status of a pistol permit, individuals can visit https://firearms.troopers.ny.gov/pprecert/welcome.faces or call Sen. Ortt’s district office at (716) 434-0680.

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