Tighter gun control laws soon

Nadira Gunatilleke and Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: The Government will shortly bring in amendments to the Firearms Ordinance to regulate the possession and use of firearms.

Enhanced penalties will be introduced for the unlawful and unauthorised possession of firearms while the use of firearms for sports and new varieties of firearms will also be strictly regulated.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said the amendments presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, aimed at updating the existing law on firearms, received Cabinet approval on Wednesday.

“In terms of the proposed amendments, a minimum and a maximum term of imprisonment will be prescribed for the offence of unlawful possession of firearms. The fine for this offence will also be increased to Rs. 25,000 for the first offence and Rs. 50,000 for the second offence,” he said.

He said the amended Ordinance will include stunt guns, gas guns, spring guns and air guns in its interpretation of ‘firearms’ thus subjecting the use of those new varieties of firearms to regulation by the Ordinance.

The use of trap guns, commonly used to hunt animals will also be governed by the Ordinance once the amendments are passed. The modes of transport of guns will also be defined.

“The amendments will also contain a definition of ‘sports activities’ where firearms could be used and make provision regarding the approved firing range and the method of storing firearms used for sports”. In addition, the possession of a firearms licence from the relevant authority will be made compulsory for all persons engaged in private security services, in addition to the licence of their employer.

Yapa said that the Bill containing the amendments will be presented to Parliament after the proposals are referred to the legal draftsman and the Attorney General.

Recent surveys have shown that thousands of unlicensed guns are in private hands.