KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new Bill seeking to amend the Firearms Act to remove the requirement for the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) to refund fees for applications for licences and certificates which have been refused, was tabled in the House of Representatives, yesterday.

The Bill, the Firearms (Amendment) Act, 2015, tabled by Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, seeks to amend the Firearms Act to:

(1) Delete section 29(7) so as to remove the requirement for the Firearms Licensing Authority to refund the fees paid for applications for licences and certificates where such applications are refused;

(2)  Amend paragraph 14 (4) of the Third Schedule to allow for a change of the financial year of the FLA, from the 12-month period ending on August 31, to the period ending March 31 each year, and;

(3) Amend the third schedule to empower the board of the FLA, upon written approval from the permanent secretary in the Ministry, to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO),  to provide for the appointment of staff in accordance with the Public Service regulations, 1961.

FLA fees are as follows: User’s (Employees) Certificate, $5,000 ($500 per additional firearm); Firearm User’s (Secondary) Licence, $12,000; Firearm User’s (Restricted) Licence, $6,000; Appeal Fee, $12,000; Firearm Dealers Licence, $200,000; Gunsmith Licence, $25,000; Minor Permit, $6,000       

The Firearms Act regulates the ownership and use of firearms and ammunition. It was first passed in 1967, and has been subsequently amended.

Balford Henry