THE Home Affairs Minister is to discuss changes to existing firearms legislation, and a possible gun amnesty, with Constables after it was revealed there were more than 8,000 guns registered in Jersey.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said it was something she intended to raise during a meeting with parish Constables, who are responsible for issuing gun licences.
A recent freedom-of-information request highlighted how many weapons were registered in each of the 12 parishes, with an anti-tank gun, a bazooka, two walking-stick guns and nearly 1,500 semi-automatic pistols among 8,378 weapons in private ownership.
Addressing States Members this week, Deputy Le Hegarat said that firearms licensing had always been something she had been concerned about, and that while she had other immediate priorities as minister, she remained committed to taking action.
Responding to a question from Deputy Hilary Jeune, the minister said she would be meeting the Constables’ Committee in September, and had also discussed possible changes to existing legislation with senior States police officers.
“I would like to look at some of the opportunities to make slight changes to the current law, as opposed to redoing the whole law, although that [whole law] matter does need looking at, as it is now 20 years old,” she said.
Deputy Steve Ahier asked about the possibility of a gun amnesty as a means of reducing the number of weapons in the Island.
Deputy Le Hegarat said that any amnesty would need to be carried out in conjunction with the Constables and under the authority of the Attorney General.
“I do not see why it could not be done,” she said.
