KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang says the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) will introduce online tracking for firearm applications during this financial year.

Chang made the announcement during his presentation in the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives today.

“Additionally, the agency will acquire a BulletTrax marking machine to improve the Authority’s capacity to capture bullet signatures,” the minister noted.

He said these changes will support the amendments that will be made to the Firearms Act, which was recently approved by Cabinet and should be tabled in the Houses of Parliament during this legislative year.

“These legislative improvements will work in tandem with the process improvements at the Firearm Licensing Authority, which regulates the use of legal weapons and ammunition,” Chang said.

“These include the introduction of a fingerprinting mechanism into the renewal process directly connected to the Criminal Records Office database; upgrading of the Ballistic Signature machine, which is shared with the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine; and to increase accountability, a system to track the purchase and usage of all ammunition in the possession of dealers, trainers and firearm licence holders, will be implemented,” the minister said.