MINISTER of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee has disclosed that, consequent to the establishment of the Firearms Licensing Approval Board, in collaboration with his ministry, it has embarked on a review of the application process for licences.
He told a press conference, on Monday, the reason is to improve accountability and efficiency in the procedure.
Rohee said that a firearms licensing management system (FLMS) has been developed for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to support application,

maintenance and renewal of such licences by the GPF.
He said the FLMS will allow Police Divisions to electronically record licence applications and use an activity-based methodology to support the method from application to approval or rejection and the ministry will have full access to this system.
Rohee said application forms have been designed for ten categories of applicants and purposes and the documents will replace the letters which, more often than not, excludes vital information necessary to arrive at a decision on the applicant’s suitability for a firearm licence or other requests.
He explained that persons with technological capabilities will be able to download and print the forms via the website of the Ministry or the GPF.

Made available
However, for those who are unable to access the documentation electronically, copies will be made available at Police Stations across the country.
Rohee said the ministry has noted the absence of a processing fee for the issuance of firearm licences, to recoup costs for the resources expended in the processing of applications.
In this regard, Cabinet has approved the introduction of a non-refundable charge in the following amounts to recoup costs associated with the activities listed above, with immediate effect:

* $5,000 – shotgun (small-scale farmers, fishers, small-scale Amerindian farmers/loggers);
* $20,000 – handgun (9mm pistol and .32 pistol/revolver);
* $25,000- rifle and
* $30,000- firearms/ammunition dealers.

Rohee said exemption from the payment of a charge will be limited only to those persons who appeal the refusal of their applications.
Issuance of firearm licence in plastic form is to be mandatory for all licensees as well as payment of the processing fee corresponding to the various categories of firearms, by persons who were previously licensed and who will be required to obtain a plastic licence.
Such payment of fees must be done on submission of applications at Police Stations, Divisional Headquarters, or Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, where an official receipt will be issued.