Anyone who got their state pistol permit on or before January 15, 2013 has until the end of the month to recertify it.

It's all part of the SAFE Act, which requires pistol permit holders to re-up every five years.

Erie County Clerk Michael “Mickey” Kearns says there could be serious consequences if they don’t.

"It states ‘automatic revocation of your pistol permit,’ meaning they can even take some of your long guns,” said Kearns. "It's important. It's a felony, which would be a very serious offense and in addition to that, you'd lose your right to vote."

But there's been a lot of confusion surrounding this looming deadline.

According to Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, that's because permit holders have never been asked to do this before and many don't remember the exact date they were first certified.

On top of that, he says the state hasn't been keeping accurate records.

"Since permits were first issued, no one has been tracking the death of individuals and what's happened with those firearms that they've owned under those permits,” said Howard.

At this point, the state only has rough estimates. In Erie County, there are about 50,000 permit holders and so far, only about half have recertified.

It's a fact that's got area leaders calling for the deadline to be pushed back.

"I'd like to see a year extension. I think that would be the best possible thing,” said Kearns.

But Kearns says don't count on that happening.

Instead, he's encouraging everyone to recertify, especially if they don't remember the original date, and do it online if they can.

"If you do recertify by paper version, by U.S. postal service, do it by certified mail so you have a receipt. In addition to that, if you do, do it by e-mail, you will automatically get generated an e-mail and keep that receipt. It's very important,” said Kearns.

To register through the Erie County Clerk’s office, click here. Or to go directly through the New York State Police, click here.