[JWVah40]

Thanks in advance for any input or advice. New to the forum here, but couldn't really find much regarding this on Google.

As it goes with some hobbies I obtained a CCW license in NY in March of 2013. Excitedly, I went to the range weekly for a few months, and the novelty wore off and my pistol has sat in the safe for years rarely touched. I recently decided I wanted to get back into it and started talking about it with my gun friends and learned of the recertification requirement in NY.

It's embarrassing and I feel stupid now, but I had no idea it was a thing and never did anything - I just haven't been 'into it' so wasn't really following NY gun news at all and never received any notices. At the time, back in 2013 the permit was for life.

The way I'm interpreting the law, at this point my only option is to relinquish my two pistols to LE (cant' even sell/transfer to a friend?) and am essentially banned from getting a new permit as my existing permit would of been revoked for failing to recertify - and any revocation prevents future licensure?

The only thing I don't understand, is I did purchase my second pistol in April or May of 2020, so I did have to go to the local Sheriff's office and add it to my permit, and had a new permit issued at that time. This would of been well after my old one 'expired' 5-years from it's issuance in 2013. It's hard to believe the county would add a pistol to my permit and issue a new one without confirming it was valid (although I wouldn't be surprised either way).

I also attempted to see if I could recertify online, but it just says there is no record associated with my information.

Thanks again for any input!

 

[Saltwater60]

This is a tough one and I really don’t know what to tell you. From what I know if you don't recertify your permit is no longer valid therefore you can not possess pistols as you found. You already did what I would have recommended and checked your status with the NYSP website, but that says no information found. You should have been mailed a letter in 2018 about recertification of your pistol permit.
I would talk to a local FFL that knows what’s going on and potentially transfer your firearms to him so that you have a receipt of their disposition and you can sell them that way. I personally would not just hand them into your local PD, but some times they will transfer them to an FFL for sale as well. I would say in this case it’s unlikely because you are technically illegally possessing them. They are supposed to notify you of your permit revocation as well. I’m wondering if your address on your permit is current and up to date.
I’m surprised there has been no follow up on this by the county or NYSP since this is what they told us they needed this process. The NYSP is supposed to tell the county that your permit is revoked, they reach out and settle it with you. If you bought a new pistol in 2020 it seems neither of these happened and I’m rather surprised by it. I would think if you ignored their requested they would have sent law enforcement your way to figure out what’s up.

Do you have other firearms in the home? If so that may also be trouble since many feel NYS law says if your permit is revoked you can no longer posses any firearms.
You could also speak with a lawyer? Also the reason you may not have had any communications is you may not be listened as permit holder in the NYSP database for some reason.
I would talk with a lawyer or an FFL and then maybe reach out to the county but be careful and legal advice is likely well worth it if you have other firearms or wish to purchase them in the future. Make sure your guns are legal and do not violate the safe act or aren’t classified as an assault weapon. 10 round mags only as well.

 

[Hickok]

I believe their was a portion in the Safe Act which was for failing to register. No crime was committed, if the person did not know about the law.

 

[Saltwater60]

I believe their was a portion in the Safe Act which was for failing to register. No crime was committed, if the person did not know about the law.

There was and I think it was a 30-day amnesty period. I’m not sure they will buy this at this point but I’m sure he’s not the only one that has ever done this. It also may have only been for registering assault weapons since that’s all I could find. I’m also fairly certain they sent letters since I got one and everyone else I know did. Im sure there were signs up at the permit office when he went to add his new pistol. This is a tricky one and happened 10 years ago.

 

[Vicarious]

I know a guy here in town with an FFL, he says he's never done the cert, and isnt about to start now.

And I know at least 3 people, myself included, that got no letter from NY about recertifying anything. My wife got one, but that was it.

 

[stokes 1971]

I got no letter or notification but I knew about it and did what I was supposed to do. A friend of mine who is not as up on things like this failed to do it and didnt hear about til a year after it was due.He was able to do it on line after a number of attempts, I dont recall what the exact issues were with the site but he kept trying and it finally went thru.

 

[Saltwater60]

I know a guy here in town with an FFL, he says he's never done the cert, and isnt about to start now.

And I know at least 3 people, myself included, that got no letter from NY about recertifying anything. My wife got one, but that was it.

I’m surprised the NYS police aren’t up on this and taking action because it’s NYS after all. I would imagine your guy in town would be hassled greatly, permit stripped and FFL taken from him. Maybe they know it’s unconstitutional and do not want to take any action?

 

[JWVah40]

Thanks for the insight. I'll share any updates should they arise and certainly try the site again.
I just have two pistols, no extended mags or anything like that. All was above board. Never received any notices about recert or revocation. Haven't moved or anything either.

Thanks!

 

[pwalchuskyjr]

I believe their was a portion in the Safe Act which was for failing to register. No crime was committed, if the person did not know about the law.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse is what NYS and the courts will say. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[Hickok]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse is what NYS and the courts will say. Sorry for the bad news.

The OP could call the County Clerk, they are now putting the date on pistol licenses when to re-certify.

 

[Les]

The OP could call the County Clerk, they are now putting the date on pistol licenses when to re-certify.

I think this depends on what county you are in. Oneida County doesn't do this.

 

[Hickok]

I think this depends on what county you are in. Oneida County doesn't do this.

The County Clerk is doing it now because of people never receiving the notices from the State Police, many of the licensee’s who have lifetime licenses issued decades ago did not know about the new requirement under Safe Act. The problem is every 3 years you need to make an appointment to get a new card since the expiration date might cause an issue if stopped by Law Enforcement and see an expired date on your license.

 

[2wheeler]

understanding all of the above I wonder what would happen if he were to try and to recertity it now online?! is his permit even there or will it even pull it up?!

On the other side NY is so hell bent on being able to track everything Im surprise no letter from Sherrif saying permit is now expired and thus revoked...he has pistols on it so an active (so to speak) permit?????

Hmmmm tough one indeed......I think we got letters back the first time......man hope all works out for ya?!

 

[JWVah40]

understanding all of the above I wonder what would happen if he were to try and to recertity it now online?! is his permit even there or will it even pull it up?!

On the other side NY is so hell bent on being able to track everything Im surprise no letter from Sherrif saying permit is now expired and thus revoked...he has pistols on it so an active (so to speak) permit?????

Hmmmm tough one indeed......I think we got letters back the first time......man hope all works out for ya?!

Thanks - I did try this several times - just says "No record found".

 

[Les]

The County Clerk is doing it now because of people never receiving the notices from the State Police, many of the licensee’s who have lifetime licenses issued decades ago did not know about the new requirement under Safe Act. The problem is every 3 years you need to make an appointment to get a new card since the expiration date might cause an issue if stopped by Law Enforcement and see an expired date on your license.

Again, I think this varies by county. Oneida County doesn't put any expiration date on the permit, only the date the permit was first issued. I recently updated my permit to include semi auto rifle and the new card only has my issue date of 1978 on it, no expiration date. I printed the expiration date from the state site when I renewed and keep that slip of paper in my wallet with my permit so I don't have to look up my next renewal date.

 

[Saltwater60]

Again, I think this varies by county. Oneida County doesn't put any expiration date on the permit, only the date the permit was first issued. I recently updated my permit to include semi auto rifle and the new card only has my issue date of 1978 on it, no expiration date. I printed the expiration date from the state site when I renewed and keep that slip of paper in my wallet with my permit so I don't have to look up my next renewal date.

Same in my county.

 

[Hickok]

Best to keep a printed copy with you, I would recommend to try and re-certify a month beforehand to ensure the system is working.

 

[WILMASBOY]

My understanding is the NYSP are not looking for folks for failing to 're-certify'...there were a few counties who were playing hardball...but, I think that has stopped. I know first hand permit holders who were late to the party, but their re-certification went thru with no problem. Try logging into the portal and submitting your info....

Pistol Permit Recertification

gunsafety.ny.gov

 

[vyger59]

Thanks in advance for any input or advice. New to the forum here, but couldn't really find much regarding this on Google.

As it goes with some hobbies I obtained a CCW license in NY in March of 2013. Excitedly, I went to the range weekly for a few months, and the novelty wore off and my pistol has sat in the safe for years rarely touched. I recently decided I wanted to get back into it and started talking about it with my gun friends and learned of the recertification requirement in NY.

It's embarrassing and I feel stupid now, but I had no idea it was a thing and never did anything - I just haven't been 'into it' so wasn't really following NY gun news at all and never received any notices. At the time, back in 2013 the permit was for life.

The way I'm interpreting the law, at this point my only option is to relinquish my two pistols to LE (cant' even sell/transfer to a friend?) and am essentially banned from getting a new permit as my existing permit would of been revoked for failing to recertify - and any revocation prevents future licensure?

The only thing I don't understand, is I did purchase my second pistol in April or May of 2020, so I did have to go to the local Sheriff's office and add it to my permit, and had a new permit issued at that time. This would of been well after my old one 'expired' 5-years from it's issuance in 2013. It's hard to believe the county would add a pistol to my permit and issue a new one without confirming it was valid (although I wouldn't be surprised either way).

I also attempted to see if I could recertify online, but it just says there is no record associated with my information.

Thanks again for any input!

I did find this on the Safe Act Update...So I would be careful how you proceed to rectify this problem ...
Failure to recertify within the deadline provided "will result in the revocation" of one's pistol/revolver license, according to state police. If a pistol permit holder were to fail to re-new and re-certify his or her eligibility to possess a pistol license, that permit holder could be charged with at least one Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year of incarceration.

 

[Saltwater60]

My understanding is the NYSP are not looking for folks for failing to 're-certify'...there were a few counties who were playing hardball...but, I think that has stopped. I know first hand permit holders who were late to the party, but their re-certification went thru with no problem. Try logging into the portal and submitting your info....

Pistol Permit Recertification

gunsafety.ny.gov

I’m not sure where you heard that from and when this was all done originally you recertified with NYSP and if you failed to do so your name would be sent to the county for follow up. If you haven’t figured it out yet NYS doesn’t want you to have guns and makes it about as difficult and costly as possible. Since the OP didn’t get the letter, didn’t get follow up from the county, and isn’t listed on their web site who knows if they missed him and he fell through the cracks or if his name isn’t on the list because he no longer has a permit. The OP said he searched his name to get a recertification date on the NYSP web site and nothing was there so something happened.