VERONA, N.Y. -- Barbara Miller, a sportswoman, likes target shooting.
"With shooting targets, you know, 'How good can I get? Where did I start and where can I finish?' " Miller said.
Due to recent changes in the state's firearm laws, Miller has another responsibility when it comes to being able to use her guns. Pistol or revolver license holders have to get it recertified every five years.
"Right now, because it was just launched about a week ago, there are problems,” said The Gun Works of Central New York Co-Owner Rich Champion. “People are having trouble logging into the website. It's locking up on them. Sometimes it won't even load. But it's like anything that's brand new."
If your license was issued before January 15, 2013, you have to recertify before January 31, 2018. If it was issued on or after January 15, 2013, your deadline to recertify is five years after the date the license was issued.
"It's a pretty easy process," Champion said. "Everyone should get a letter from the State Police at some point just asking you to either go online, or you can print out a form or go to a local office and pick up a form, and they verify your data."
It might seem like an easy process, but Champion said many customers have been coming in with questions.
"A lot of people coming in and asking us what they have to do and I know the pistol permit offices have been bombarded with questions as well, but the best thing you can do is wait for your letter," said Champion.
Miller said the extra effort isn't discouraging her from being a gun owner.
"No. [It] does not discourage me at all. It just takes more of my time," said Miller.
"Every time they enact something new, it creates more work for us, makes things more difficult," Champion said. "It also drives up the prices due to time we have to put into everything, but there are still plenty of people out there picking up brand new permits."
When recertifying, a license holder will need to confirm his or her name, current address, date of birth, last four digits of his or her Social Security Number and a list of all pistols and revolvers along with their details. A New York State Driver's License or Non-Driver Identification Card is also needed.
A pistol or revolver license will be revoked if it isn't recertified within the deadline. A pistol or revolver license can be recertified electronically at this website: https://firearms.troopers.ny.gov/pprecert/
A paper form to be mailed for recertification can be found at any New York Police location or: https://troopers.ny.gov/Firearms/, and then mailed to the New York State Police, Pistol Permit Bureau, Building 22, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12226-2252.