Legal Affairs Minister Claudette Joseph has informed Members of the Senate or Upper House of Parliament, that firearms surrendered during a proposed amnesty period of 90 days will be analysed.
Joseph made the announcement while wrapping up debate on the Firearms Arm Amendment Bill during Thursday’s sitting of the Senate. The amendment to the Firearms Act introduces a new section that will give the Minister for National Security the power to declare a gun amnesty for 90 days.
Joseph, who is also the Attorney General, said that when the firearms are surrendered under the amnesty, ballistic analysis will take place to determine whether the firearm was used in the commission of an offence. “And of course if the firearm surrendered is found to have been used in the commission of an offence, that firearm will then form evidence and assist the Police in investigating and solving the crime,” she said, pointing out that under the amnesty conditions the person who surrenders the gun will be identified.
“Remember the firearm once surrendered will not be tied to any particular individual because they will be surrendered under conditions of anonymity, but the firearm themselves will be analysed, serial number taken etc., to determine whether they were stolen or otherwise used in the commission of a crime,” she said. “If that is found to be the case, then the weapon will be used to assist the police in solving and ultimately prosecuting for the crime.” She warned that surrendering a firearm may not absolve someone.
“It may not be the same persons surrendering the firearm who might committed an offence with it. In fact, the person surrendering that firearm may not be aware that the firearm was used, so there really isn’t a risk for the person surrendering because, one, he is anonymous and two he or she may not be aware that this firearm was used in the commissioning of a crime,” she said.
Joseph told the House that the amnesty is one of several initiatives that Government will undertake as part of a strategy to combat gun-related violence. Inserting the new section of 51A is the first of 3 steps that will occur in this process. Then there will be the Order that sets out the procedure that persons wanting to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition must follow in taking advantage of the amnesty. Then there will be a further amendment of the principal Bill to make provision for enhanced consequences and stiffer penalties for persons found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
“That is the process that will be adopted…And in the final stage, yes there will be a window there for further amendments to perhaps increase the penalties under Section 4 of the existing act,” Joseph promised.
