Drizzt
April 30, 2003, 05:29 PM
The Gleaner
April 28, 2003
LENGTH: 665 words
HEADLINE: PROCURING A FIREARM
BODY:
WITH BURGEONING concerns for safety in Jamaica, many law abiding citizens are seeking to procure firearms for their own protection. In order to ensure the smooth running of the legal process, these individuals must be aware of the requirements for obtaining such weapons.
There are three categories of firearm licence. These are the Firearm Dealer s Licence, the Firearm User s Licence and the Firearm User s Licence Restricted. One may also seek to acquire a Firearm User s Permit. Individuals intendeing to purchase firearms for their own use will be specifically interested in the two categories of user s licence. According to Norma Kerr-Clarke, Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), each user s licence carries a $ 3,000 fee that must be paid at one of the tax collectorates across the island.
Requirements
There are a number of requirements the prospective user must satisfy before completing the application process. The applicant should collect and fill out anapplication form that can be picked up at any Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Division headquarters. The application form, which requests information such as previous refusals of applications, previous convictions and previous detention in mental institutions, must be accompanied by four passport-sized photographs (signed by a Justice of the Peace), a receipt from the tax collectorate, and a $ 1,000 receipt from the Ministry of National Security and Justice.
In addition, the applicant must procurhe a Certificate of Competence from either the Jamaica Rifle Association on Mountain View Avenue, Kingston, or the Jamaica Police Academy, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. Furthermore, two letters of recommendation should also be secured. One must be signed by a minister of religion while the other may be signed by either a Justice of the Peace, a Resident Magistrate, or high court judge.
With all items in hand, the applicant will then take a trip to the firearms clerk at the division headquartersfor the area in which he (or she) lives. Investigators will subsequently perform background checks that will seek to reveal any inconsistencies in the information received. At this point, applicants should know, there will be a possibility of the involvement of the JCF Special Branch, or the Narcotics Division, in the investigation.
Once the extensive background checks have been completed, the applicant will then be required to attend an interview with the superintendent in charge at the relevantn division headquarters. On the completion of the interview, the entire process will come to an end. It is at this point that a decision will be taken on whether or not the licence is granted.
Range of fire
The two user s licences, the Firearm User s and Firearm User s Restricted, are differentiated by the weapon s range of fire. According to information received from the general office of the Kingston-Eastern Police Division, the restricted licence applies to weapons for use in game shopoting or on the firing range.
Meanwhile, the previously mentioned Firearm Dealer s Licence must be directly applied for through the Security Ministry and the Office of the Commissioner of Police. This licence, Mrs. Kerr-Clarke told The Gleaner, carries a $ 10,000 fee.
The Firearm User s Permit, unlike the user s licence, is intended for individuals already holding licences but requiring the use of other persons weapons. The fee for this permit is $ 100.
Current firearm owners sChould already know that licences must be renewed by the end of April each year. The renewal fee, which is identical to the application fee, must be paid at the tax collectorate after the weapon is properly checked. This is done at the relevant Police Division headquarters. When carrying the weapon to be checked by the police, the licensee must have available a recent photograph of himself. After the weapon is cleared for use, the owner will receive a document with which to pay the fee.
April 28, 2003
LENGTH: 665 words
HEADLINE: PROCURING A FIREARM
BODY:
WITH BURGEONING concerns for safety in Jamaica, many law abiding citizens are seeking to procure firearms for their own protection. In order to ensure the smooth running of the legal process, these individuals must be aware of the requirements for obtaining such weapons.
There are three categories of firearm licence. These are the Firearm Dealer s Licence, the Firearm User s Licence and the Firearm User s Licence Restricted. One may also seek to acquire a Firearm User s Permit. Individuals intendeing to purchase firearms for their own use will be specifically interested in the two categories of user s licence. According to Norma Kerr-Clarke, Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), each user s licence carries a $ 3,000 fee that must be paid at one of the tax collectorates across the island.
Requirements
There are a number of requirements the prospective user must satisfy before completing the application process. The applicant should collect and fill out anapplication form that can be picked up at any Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Division headquarters. The application form, which requests information such as previous refusals of applications, previous convictions and previous detention in mental institutions, must be accompanied by four passport-sized photographs (signed by a Justice of the Peace), a receipt from the tax collectorate, and a $ 1,000 receipt from the Ministry of National Security and Justice.
In addition, the applicant must procurhe a Certificate of Competence from either the Jamaica Rifle Association on Mountain View Avenue, Kingston, or the Jamaica Police Academy, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. Furthermore, two letters of recommendation should also be secured. One must be signed by a minister of religion while the other may be signed by either a Justice of the Peace, a Resident Magistrate, or high court judge.
With all items in hand, the applicant will then take a trip to the firearms clerk at the division headquartersfor the area in which he (or she) lives. Investigators will subsequently perform background checks that will seek to reveal any inconsistencies in the information received. At this point, applicants should know, there will be a possibility of the involvement of the JCF Special Branch, or the Narcotics Division, in the investigation.
Once the extensive background checks have been completed, the applicant will then be required to attend an interview with the superintendent in charge at the relevantn division headquarters. On the completion of the interview, the entire process will come to an end. It is at this point that a decision will be taken on whether or not the licence is granted.
Range of fire
The two user s licences, the Firearm User s and Firearm User s Restricted, are differentiated by the weapon s range of fire. According to information received from the general office of the Kingston-Eastern Police Division, the restricted licence applies to weapons for use in game shopoting or on the firing range.
Meanwhile, the previously mentioned Firearm Dealer s Licence must be directly applied for through the Security Ministry and the Office of the Commissioner of Police. This licence, Mrs. Kerr-Clarke told The Gleaner, carries a $ 10,000 fee.
The Firearm User s Permit, unlike the user s licence, is intended for individuals already holding licences but requiring the use of other persons weapons. The fee for this permit is $ 100.
Current firearm owners sChould already know that licences must be renewed by the end of April each year. The renewal fee, which is identical to the application fee, must be paid at the tax collectorate after the weapon is properly checked. This is done at the relevant Police Division headquarters. When carrying the weapon to be checked by the police, the licensee must have available a recent photograph of himself. After the weapon is cleared for use, the owner will receive a document with which to pay the fee.