Oneida Co. officials urging pistol permit license holders to "opt-out"

Under the New York SAFE Act pistol permit license holders can opt-out from having their personal information go public.                               

Although Oneida County isn't requiring license holders to opt-out, officials are urging them to do so anyway.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and Judge Michael Dwyer says everyone deserves a right to privacy.

They both say they agree the pistol permit records should remain private and not be released.

But, Judge Dwyer is urging all permit holders to file an opt-out form with the pistol permit office as a second line of defense in case of legal issues.

"There is that possibility that through a lawsuit somewhere else in New York State that a higher court, the appellate division or the court of appeals may disagree with my position. And if they do that those names can be released. So, I am urging all pistol permit owners to file the opt-out form," said Judge Dwyer.

The deadline to file an opt-out form is May 1st.

You can get a form at the county's pistol license office or on the county's website.