President Bharrat Jagdeo has already assented to the Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill and shortly the Minister of Home Affairs will sign the Order to bring the provisions of the Act into force with its increased penalties for possession of illicit weapons.
One of the penalties is the refusal of bail for persons who are charged.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee made this disclosure during his recent presentation in the National Assembly on the debate of the 2008 National Budget.
The Government Information Agency quoted Minister Clement Rohee as saying: “President Jagdeo has already assented to the Firearm (Amendment) Bill. After the approval of its estimates, I intend to sign the Order bringing into force the provisions of the Act and making them effective in respect of penalties for being in possession of illegal firearms. The nation must take note.”
GINA reported that the Bill was passed in the National Assembly stipulating increases in fines and penalties for persons who are found in possession of unlicensed firearms.
The amended Firearms Act stipulates that any person who purchases, acquires or has any firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm licence in force at the time, will be fined between $50,000 and $100,000.
And if found guilty, a fine between $150,000 and $500,000 together with imprisonment for 10 years will be enforced.
The Firearms (Amendment) Bill was last revised in 1993, having been enacted in 1940.
