Freetown, 27 June 2025 — The Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition (SLeCAA) has issued a stern warning to all licensed civilian firearm owners who have not renewed their licenses for the 2025 financial year, urging them to act immediately or face serious legal consequences.
In a press statement released on Friday, SLeCAA emphasized that failure to comply with the renewal requirement is a criminal offense.
“We are calling on all licensed civilian firearm owners who have failed to renew their licenses to do so without delay,” the Commission stated. “This is not just an administrative matter — it is a legal obligation.”
According to Section 22(3) of the SLeCAA Act of 2023, non-compliance may result in a fine of not less than ten thousand New Leones, a prison term of not less than five years, or both.
“Renewing firearm licenses is crucial for legitimizing the status and ensuring the security of firearm users,” the Commission stressed. “We must guarantee that all firearms in civilian possession are appropriately licensed and used responsibly.”
As part of enforcement measures, SLeCAA has advised defaulters to surrender their firearms to the Commission’s headquarters at State Avenue, Freetown, for safekeeping until their licenses are renewed.
The deadline for this voluntary submission is April 30, 2025.
“Failure to comply with this directive will leave us no option but to withdraw the firearms or request the police to take lawful action,” the statement warned.
SLeCAA also reminded the public of its broader mandate to regulate the manufacture, transfer, sale, possession, and use of arms and ammunition in Sierra Leone.
“Anyone found in possession of a firearm without a valid license issued by the Registrar of SLeCAA will be prosecuted,” the Commission declared. “The full weight of the law will be applied.”
The message from the Commission was clear: “You have been warned.”
