Under New York's new SAFE Act Gun Law, hand gun owners who were issued pistol permits before January 2013, must re-certify by January 31, 2018.
People with pistols permits who are being forced to re-certify are calling it nothing more than government red tape and they're worried about possible back logs.
"I think it's unnecessary. I think it is being over regulated for law abiding citizens to have to go through that and I think it's a lot of busy work," John Peracciny said.
The Lockport man has been a permit holder for the past 27 years. He will be one of the people who will have to re-certify. In fact, about 90 percent of the 32,000 pistol owners in Niagara County will have to go through this process, either online or thru the mail to state police.
"My biggest concern is the people that live out in the rural areas that don't have access to internet in Niagara County," Niagara County Clerk, Joseph Jastrzemski said.
The Niagara County Clerk said there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the process, including how permit holders will be notified. He's also concerned about the overload of work his staff will have to do in Niagara County Pistol Permit Office. It could cause an even slower process for new pistol permit applicants.
A spokesperson for New York State Police told 7 Eyewitness News, the agency is in the final stages of implementing a process which will allow permit holders to complete recertification online or by mail.
"I personally think that they should get this out to the media as quick as possible. Give notification out the best they can. We have 32,000 plus pistol permit holders in Niagara County we want them to be able to have plenty of time to be able to re-certify," Jastrzemski said.
