Freetown, Sierra Leone – September 1, 2023 – In a recent press statement, the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition (SLeCAA) issued a stern warning regarding the illicit production and repair of shotguns by local artisans or blacksmiths without valid licenses issued by the Registrar and Commissioner of SLeCAA.
This clandestine activity poses a grave threat to the nation’s security, contributing significantly to the illegal proliferation of small arms and ammunition.
The SLeCAA, established by an Act of Parliament in 2010, holds the responsibility of regulating the manufacture, sale, possession, and use of small arms and light weapons in Sierra Leone. Section 32 subsection 1 of the SLeCAA Act of 2023 explicitly empowers the Commission to oversee the manufacture and sale of firearms within the country.
The Act states, “A person shall not manufacture or offer for sale arms or their manufacturing materials within Sierra Leone except on a valid license issued by the Commissioner for that purpose” (Section 32(1)).
A pivotal development in this matter was a national survey conducted by the government in 2020 to identify unlicensed local gun manufacturers and repairers. The survey uncovered a total of 377 individuals engaged in these activities, with 138 identified as local gun manufacturers and 239 as repairers.
The Commission now emphasizes that, since the 2020 survey, it has not issued any licenses to blacksmiths or gunsmiths for the production of shotguns. Consequently, the Commission has issued a stark warning to all those involved in the illegal production and repair of shotguns, demanding an immediate cessation of such activities.
Furthermore, the Commission underlines its determination to enforce the law to the fullest extent. Section 32 subsection 1 of the SLECAA Act of 2023 prescribes penalties for violators, stating, “A person who contravenes sub-section (7) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding ten thousand new Leones (10,000) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
The message from the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition is crystal clear: those involved in the illicit production and repair of shotguns will face legal consequences if they persist in their unlawful activities. The Commission’s primary concern remains the safety and security of Sierra Leone and its citizens.
