As crime in Jamaica continues to swirl out of control, many citizens are gunning for a licensed firearm to protect themselves. Today, The Gleaner's popular advice column, How To, explores the avenues for procuring a gun licence.

The Firearm Licensing Authority, which was established on March 1, 2006, is the organisation empowered to grant licences in accordance with the Firearms Act.

Any Jamaican 18 years or older who has a legitimate reason, and can establish that reason, is eligible to apply for a licensed firearm. Non-nationals who are regular travellers to Jamaica are also eligible.

In order for a firearm licence to be granted, a competence test is first administered. This gauges the individual's ability to use a firearm.

Firearms may be purchased from a licensed distributor with appropriate documentation from the FLA.

Second, background investigations are done on all applicants. These probes involve checks at dwellings, including the intended storage site for the weapon, to determine how secure applicants' homes are.

Criminal background

Third, a multi-agency police investigation is carried out to check an applicant's criminal background.

The FLA currently administers a recertification exercise, which is an interview with licensed firearm holders for five years or more.

The approval period is highly dependent on the speed at which the applicant can satisfy the requirements.

Individuals may have to appear before the FLA board for an interview after a 15-day process for the application to go through the system.

Various types of licences carry different costs: the general user licence, $6,000 per firearm; employee user certification (for security guards, given by employees), $2,000; or the permit (a family member who gives another person access to use his or her firearm), $2,000.

Among the firearm options are revolvers and semi-automatic guns. There is no limit on the number of firearms per household.

sonia.mitchell@gleanerjm.com

FLA functions

Receive and consider applications for firearm licences, certificates or permits. Grant or renew firearm licences, certificates or permits.

Revoke any firearm licence, certificate or permit granted under the Firearms Act.

Amend the terms of a firearm licence, certificate or permit.

Receive and investigate any complaint regarding a breach of a firearm licence, certificate or permit.

Applying for a firearm licence:

A valid firearm user's licence.

Copy of Tax Registration Number (TRN) card.

Individual Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) required for business owners.

Proof of age (passport or birth certificate).

Three recommendations from any of the following categories of persons: minister of religion, justice of the peace, school principal, attorney-at-law, medical doctor or resident magistrate.

Three passport-size photographs certified by a justice of the peace.

Proof of previous training experience (if any).

An FLA medical certificate completed by a registered medical doctor (if deemed necessary to get by FLA).

Proof of payment for licence.

Fingerprint fee ($1,000).

For employee user's licence certificate, the applicant needs a permission letter from employer.

Individual Private Security Regulations Authority (PSRA) registration card.

Copy of company's PSRA certification to see if it is in good standing.

Individuals applying for the permit licence will need a letter of permission from the licensed firearm holder.

Completed application forms and supporting documents should be placed in a sealed envelope, addressed to the authority, and deposited in Firearm Licensing Authority receptacles placed at each police divisional headquarters islandwide.

Be careful

Although there is a growing desire for Jamaicans to obtain licensed firearms, individuals should exercise due care in the handling and storage of guns.

Since this year, a number of gun-related accidents have been reported, involving spouses as well as children.

Winston De La Haye, consultant psychiatrist and acting head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University Hospital of the West Indies, said, "As a former military officer, I understand the need for some citizens to find it necessary to have a firearm to protect themselves, and/or their property, but we need to appreciate the fact that the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) is not able to anticipate or control accidents where they may occur."