Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Morrison, on Monday 25th January, 2016 announced that the Royal Anguilla Police Force is presently in the final week of the renewal of firearms user licenses for 2016.
The process includes individual assessments for persons in possession of a permit as well as the voluntary testing of all firearms. The review process which is legislated in the Firearms Act ran for the last two and a half weeks with more than 50 persons interviewed.
“The firearms legislation mandates that every person in possession of a firearms user license must satisfy the licensing authority that they have both a good reason to hold a firearm and to be a suitable person,” said Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison.
However the legislation needs to be supported by agreed guidance so that that the process can be explained by which the Licensing Authority can be duly satisfied.
The COP would like to inform all persons wishing to acquire a new Firearms user License that no new licenses will be issued until such time as a policy regarding the issuing of such licenses is formulated and approved by the Government of Anguilla.
This will no doubt include public consultation so as to have an input from the public as to the way forward and this process certainly requires time. At such time we welcome the views of all to ensure that we have a policy that is fair and balance.
Chrispen Gumbs, Sgt. 56
PMRO
Royal Anguilla Police Force
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
