You can now own a gun
Oct 09, 2002
Did you know that if you are a mature and responsible person you can acquire and own a private/civilian fire arm?
Did you know that if you are a mature and responsible person you can acquire and own a private/civilian fire arm?
According to section 2 of the Firearms Act 1970, any person who is of and above the age of 25, and of sound mind can obtain a civilian fire arm after obtaining a valid licence.
In July 2001, the minister of internal affairs had suspended the issuing of civilian firearms pending streamlining of the civilian firearms acquisition process. In March 2002, the ban was lifted with new guidelines in place.
According to Mr. Richard Nabudere, the Ag. Commissioner of Police in charge of Private Security and Fire arms, one can acquire a civilian firearm after filling Police form 98, obtainable from the police, after payment of a sh3,000 fee.
The forms are then taken to his/her respective LC 1 chairperson who, after endorsement, forwards them to the chairperson, LC 111 security committee. This committee assesses the personality and conduct of the applicant and their ability to keepthe firearm in safe custody.
The forms are then forwarded to the District Police Commander who causes the applicant to be vetted by the police CID and Special Branch. The forms are then forwarded to the chairperson of the District Security Committee for further vetting. If the committee is satisfied, they forward them to the Inspector General of Police, then to the minister of internal affairs for issuing a permit and back to the Police for issue of the Licence.
Asked if this was not a very long and tiresome exercise, Nabudere said the stages of the process were in fact reduced.
After the above process, one can become a proud owner of a revolver or any other type of pistol, bolt action gun, or single shot gun. Do not, however, expect to get any automatic riffle such as a sub-machine gun.
Guns can be acquired from private arms dealers such as Saracen, Ultimate Security, etc. One can also get one from individual persons who wish to sell their hitherto civilian fire arms. One can also acquire one from their local police if they have it.
With an own gun, one can be able to guarantee their own security and protect their property. They may not, however, use the gun to threaten innocent people or settle personal scores. Once one has the gun, they shall be required by law to prevent unauthorised persons, especially children from accessing it.
The gun is issued to one person only. They are not supposed to lend or hire it to anyone. They are expected to carry a copy of the licence every time they carry the gun.
The rules require that one never carries it to a public entertainment place like a bar or night club, and they are not to use it on innocent people. Each shot fired in whatever circumstances must be reported to the police with an explanation.
At the end of each year, you are to furnish the police with details of the state of the firearm and the ammunition thereof. Firearms cost from the range of 400,000/= to 2,000,000/= depending on the calibre.
According to section 2 of the Firearms Act 1970, any person who is of and above the age of 25, and of sound mind can obtain a civilian fire arm after obtaining a valid licence.
In July 2001, the minister of internal affairs had suspended the issuing of civilian firearms pending streamlining of the civilian firearms acquisition process. In March 2002, the ban was lifted with new guidelines in place.
According to Mr. Richard Nabudere, the Ag. Commissioner of Police in charge of Private Security and Fire arms, one can acquire a civilian firearm after filling Police form 98, obtainable from the police, after payment of a sh3,000 fee.
The forms are then taken to his/her respective LC 1 chairperson who, after endorsement, forwards them to the chairperson, LC 111 security committee. This committee assesses the personality and conduct of the applicant and their ability to keepthe firearm in safe custody.
The forms are then forwarded to the District Police Commander who causes the applicant to be vetted by the police CID and Special Branch. The forms are then forwarded to the chairperson of the District Security Committee for further vetting. If the committee is satisfied, they forward them to the Inspector General of Police, then to the minister of internal affairs for issuing a permit and back to the Police for issue of the Licence.
Asked if this was not a very long and tiresome exercise, Nabudere said the stages of the process were in fact reduced.
After the above process, one can become a proud owner of a revolver or any other type of pistol, bolt action gun, or single shot gun. Do not, however, expect to get any automatic riffle such as a sub-machine gun.
Guns can be acquired from private arms dealers such as Saracen, Ultimate Security, etc. One can also get one from individual persons who wish to sell their hitherto civilian fire arms. One can also acquire one from their local police if they have it.
With an own gun, one can be able to guarantee their own security and protect their property. They may not, however, use the gun to threaten innocent people or settle personal scores. Once one has the gun, they shall be required by law to prevent unauthorised persons, especially children from accessing it.
The gun is issued to one person only. They are not supposed to lend or hire it to anyone. They are expected to carry a copy of the licence every time they carry the gun.
The rules require that one never carries it to a public entertainment place like a bar or night club, and they are not to use it on innocent people. Each shot fired in whatever circumstances must be reported to the police with an explanation.
At the end of each year, you are to furnish the police with details of the state of the firearm and the ammunition thereof. Firearms cost from the range of 400,000/= to 2,000,000/= depending on the calibre.