New Firearms Act Passed in the Senate

The Senate on Friday (September 23) passed the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act with 17 amendments.

The legislation establishes a dual regime, distinguishing between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms and activities connected thereto, and firearms that are duly authorised or registered.

The Bill also outlines the objectives that speak to establishing a framework that prohibits firearms and ammunition that are illicitly traded, and which regards possession of those prohibited firearms and ammunition as the foundation on which other heinous and violent crimes are committed.

Closing the debate, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda said the Bill will issue punishment, in proportionate to the crime.

“For those that have been caught the penalty did not match the crime and this Bill deals with that issue,” he said.

He also noted that the legislation, and its amendments address the strengthening of the operational issues such as those made to clause 101 which speaks to trial, punishment, proof, and records.

In addition, under the new legislation, the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) will be established as a body corporate.

As a body corporate, the Authority will have its own legal identity and will now be empowered to perform several activities, to include entering into contracts in its own name, initiating and responding to legal claims, acquiring real and personal property, and using its own official seal.

The legislation will go back to the House of Representatives for its approval.