State Sneator Jim Seward has introduced legislation that would give pistol license holders an extra two months to recertify their licenses with the State Police.
Under current law, individuals with pistol licenses issued before January 15, 2103 are required to recertify their current licenses with the State Police by January 31.
Senator Seward’s bill would extend the deadline for recertification to March 31.
The requirement is part of the SAFE Act, which Senator Seward called “one of the most confusing and disputed laws I have seen in my 30-plus years in the Legislature.
The recertification requirement, he said, was not well-publicized and many license holders are unaware of the deadline or consequences of not recertifying.
“Anecdotal stories and media reports indicate the compliance is extremely low and more time is needed to get the word out and make sure that law-abiding pistol license holders and able to meet the recertification deadline,” he said.
Senator Seward’s bill has been referred to the Senate Codes Committee.
“I have consistently called for a full repeal of the SAFE Act, and passed legislation in the Senate to reform several of the most onerous portions of the law,” Senator Seward added.
“I will continue to support full repeal and will also work to chip away at the law’s worst provisions.”