Major Reforms Ongoing to Boost FLA’s Efficiency

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says major changes continue to be undertaken to improve the operations of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) to make it one of the finest in the region.

“We have confidence that what they have achieved in the last seven years has really improved the state of the FLA, and we are satisfied that they have an excellent process in place. I can say that the current CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and the Board that have been giving oversight have worked hard to build out a system at FLA which is effective and transparent,” he stated.

Dr. Chang noted that while the authorities were satisfied with the oversight conducted and with the work of the CEO, a combined team, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the army, and other stakeholders with relevant expertise, would be assembled to review the matter again, given its emergence as a public issue.

He made the remarks during his visit to the Area 5 Police Headquarters at the Constant Spring Police Station in St. Andrew on Thursday (June 4).

The Minister’s statement comes in the wake of the tabling of the Integrity Commission’s Report of Investigation Concerning Allegations of Corruption, Impropriety, and Irregularities in the Grant, Variation, and Revocation of Firearm Licences, as well as the Storage of Firearms and Ammunition at the FLA, in the House of Representatives.

“The FLA got investigated based on allegations made back in 2020/21. The fact is, at that time, we had already started efforts to correct some of the errors there,” Dr. Chang said.

He advised that the Authority now operates an effective electronic record system, emphasising that proper management of the firearm industry is crucial.

“The movement of information from dealer to the office is now computerised… [and fully] electronic. When this complaint [surfaced], it used to be hard-copy transfers… so errors could be made. We have, in fact, fixed the system… we have now digitised that and changed all of that… so I am satisfied. [However] we will not ignore the comments of the Integrity Commission. We take note of them and we’ll again take a look at the entire process,” the Minister said.

Dr. Chang indicated that improvements have also been implemented in applicant testing, armory management, inventory control, and other key areas.

He further noted that a new shredder machine has been ordered to expedite the process and enhance efficiency.

“We have had more than one occasion in recent times, where the investigators and the police, supported by DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) and MOCA (Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency), have used the data from the FLA to anchor serious cases, and done so successfully. This means the process has been tested in the courts and has stood up to the test of all the legal parameters required to ensure we have a good system in place. We don’t claim to be perfect but we have seen major advances to improve the management of the FLA,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chang further emphasised that no firearms or ammunitions are missing from the armory.

“There are still [a few] kinks to iron out, and we are working on them. However, the CEO, staff, and Board members are all individuals of high integrity who [remain] committed to [upholding] quality standards,” he said

Dr. Chang also advised that land has been identified for the construction of a new purpose built facility for the Authority, adding that a 50 year lease has already been signed to support the undertaking.