Only Firearms Licensing Board could review or revoke gun license

Rohee's comments come one day after Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced that there is to be a massive review and revocation of gun licenses, possibly before the end of the year.

Only Firearms Licensing Board could review or revoke gun license

Former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has sounded the warning that any review and revocation of gun licenses cannot be done by the political directorate.

He said such a move could only be carried out by the Firearms Licensing Approval Board.

Rohee’s comments come one day after Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced that there is to be a massive review and revocation of gun licenses, possibly before the end of the year.

But according to Rohee, the Minister is in no position to revoke any licenses, even if it is done in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force.

Mr. Rohee said such a responsibility rests solely with the Firearms Licensing Approval Board which was put in place following the amendment to the Firearms Act recently.

“I don’t know what he meant, efforts by who? He is in no position to revoke licenses,” Rohee said.

He explained that he is not opposing the move but believes it must be done the right way.

“No Minister should be cherry picking on the issue. I am not opposed to the move once it is done by the right person,” he added.

Rohee said persons whose licenses are revoked can also approach the Courts with a petition to have the licenses reinstated.

Minister Ramjattan had stated that the review and revocation would be to ensure that those licenses that were “wrongfully” issued and those in the hands of mentally unstable persons are taken back.

The Minister signaled that new background checks would be conducted to determine eligibility.

Although Ramjattan said that the Police Force would be involved in the process, Rohee insists that the Board is staffed with qualified persons, including a psychiatrist to conduct such a review.

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