PHILLIPS
THE HOUSE of Representatives is scheduled to debate tomorrow the long-awaited legislation aimed at introducing a new independent firearms licensing regime.
The legislation, first announced during Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke's Throne Speech at the start of the 2004/2005 legislative year, was proposed in the wake of allegations of corruption within the police-controlled firearms licensing system.
Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, has indicated that the new system would require applications for firearm licences to be made to an independent central licensing authority. Cabinet has already approved appointments to the body, which is made up of up of a retired judge, a retired Director of Public Prosecutions (or senior member of that department) and a retired senior police officer.
Under the new regime, all applicants would have to satisfy the licensing authority that they are fit and proper persons to qualify for a licence and would have to demonstrate a genuine need to be armed.
An inventory of all licences issued to private citizens and security firms would be established through the independent body. It would also combine information on both the weapon and the holder of the licence, through new and modern technology, and the unique characteristic of each weapon would form part of the database.
