Changes to Jersey's firearms law to 'reduce risk'

The government is planning changes to Jersey's firearms law, following recommendations from a review committee of constables and States of Jersey police.

Constable Richard Honeycombe, head of the review panel, said the changes were about "reducing risk" to public safety and ensuring all gun owners had "good reason" to hold licences.

The changes are likely to be enacted using ministerial orders after the Justice and Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat previously postponed a complete review of the 25-year-old legislation.

Le Hegarat told a scrutiny hearing the planned review was put on hold in 2024 to prioritise changes to legislation preventing violence against women and girls.

• Applications for firearms and ammunition will become a separate process

Previously, 5,000 rounds of ammunition were automatically applied to a firearms licence.

Honeycombe said there were people on the island who had not shot for years but had a considerable amount of ammunition stored at home.

Instead, people will have to apply for both a firearms licence and an ammunition licence. These will be considered by the parish constable - who has the authority to grant firearms licences - and assessed on their own merits.

Honeycombe said this should mean a "huge reduction" in the amount of ammunition on the island, but also help officials know much was actually being stored.

Le Hegarat said the change would "mitigate the risk of certificate holders having easy access to firearms and ammunition outside of a club environment".

To contain ammunition to the club shooting environment, Le Hegarat said she planned to change the law so clubs could become registered firearms dealers, although only with the right to buy and sell ammunition, not import it.

• The cost of a firearms licence is to increase

Honeycombe said it had been agreed with the minister the cost of a firearms licence would increase, as would the cost of varying an aspect of your firearms licence - such as adding or removing a gun.

• The number and type of guns an applicant can ask for will decrease

At present, people applying for a firearms licence can have an authorised "wish list" where they request a variety of guns, of different types and calibres.

Once approved, each applicant only has to notify the constable when they purchase a new firearm, instead of requiring approval.

Le Hegarat said there were currently examples of individuals who had the right to buy in excess of 25 different firearms.

In future, constables would be asked to make amendments to these types of licences to ensure each applicant genuinely had good reason to own each type of gun.

She said the review committee was also considering making a request to have certain types of large calibre rifles, especially those that have been converted from a fully automatic, military grade firearm, added to the list of prohibited items.

Honeycombe said he would like to see the changes introduced in September.

He added the review panel had more work to do and would be suggesting further legal amendments.

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