The Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms (SLNCSA) has called on all fire arms owners to register their weapons now or face the consequence after the deadline of March 30th, 2016.
According to the Communications Officer, Jestina Manley, the process of registering small arms is not difficult, but to crosscheck the individual’s competence of handling weapons.
“Everybody applying for license must be 21 years of age. We want to know if you are medically and mentally fit; also, if you don’t have criminal record, or if you and your family live in harmony; and if you are responsible enough to own such weapon.”
Talking about the process, she said the office is at State Avenue back of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and when you arrived there you will buy the Registration Form for Le100,000. Miss Manely said after purchasing the form, one will have to provide all the information required, after which, the applicant  would be sent upstairs to the Special Branch where they will have to ask he or she all the questions about his or record, etc.
“After the individual finishes with the Special Branch, he or she will have to move to the Police doctor at Connaught hospital to do medical test, where he or she is expected to pay a fee of Le50,000. After passing the medical, all the documents will be sent to Police Headquarter to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) of Crime Services, Morie Lengor where you will have to be screened properly to make sure that applicant met all the criteria set.”
The Communications Officer averred that when applicant is certified by the AIG, then he or she has succeeded in getting the license. The license fee will be paid at Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
“The paying-in slip is submitted to Roxy Building where National Revenue Authority (NRA) is located and issued a receipt that you will bring to our office. Upon producing the NRA receipt, the weapon will them be marked and your photograph taken, so that we can issue you your license immediately.”
She said those keeping their shotguns at home to make use of this opportunity given now or else when it expires on the 30th March this year, anyone caught will be penalized.
When asked if they are giving license for other weapons, she said currently they are just giving license for shotguns and no pistol or revolver will be licensed now until further notice.
The current situation she said is encouraging as hundreds of people have registered their weapons especially those coming from the provinces. Jestina Manley said for foreigners, they will have to bring in Interpol to make sure that no foreigner will get a license that is a wanted person.
She said she want to appeal to all to use this window of opportunity to come forward to get a license for their weapons than keep it at home and face the consequences when caught.
Friday March 04, 2016