Firearms (Amnesty) Order 2024

SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERS

No.      of 2024

Firearms (Amnesty) Order, 2024

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 45A of the Firearms Act, Cap. 19.05, the Minister responsible for National Security makes the following Order:

1.    Citation.

This Order may be cited as the Firearms (Amnesty) Order, 2024.

2.   Interpretation.

In this Order the term 

“Act” means the Firearms Act, Chapter 19.05;

“the firearms amnesty” refers to the amnesty declared in accordance with section 3.

3.   Declaration of Amnesty.

An amnesty is hereby declared in Saint Christopher and Nevis during the period commencing on the 10th day of May, 2024 and ending at 11:59 pm on the 25th day of May, 2024 whereby any person may, in respect of any firearm or ammunition that satisfies the conditions specified in section 4 of this Order, be granted the relief specified in section 45A of the Act.

4.   Conditions of Amnesty.    

(1) Pursuant to section 3, the firearm or ammunition shall be surrendered at any police station, to the officer in charge or the officer on duty.  

(2) A person shall not be required to disclose his or her identity or any information when surrendering a firearm or ammunition and no details of the person who surrendered the said firearm or ammunition shall be recorded if the person wishes to utilize the anonymous process for the firearms amnesty.

(3) An attorney-at-law may surrender a firearm or ammunition, on behalf of a person seeking a firearms amnesty in accordance with subsection (1), and in doing so shall comply with the requirements of subsection (4). 

(4) Pursuant to subsection (3), an attorney-at-law shall

(a) effect the surrender of the firearm or ammunition, in accordance with subsection (1) forthwith upon taking possession of said firearm or ammunition or if any circumstances occur to prevent such surrender, he or she shall forthwith notify the officer in charge or the officer on duty at the nearest police station to make such arrangements as may be necessary for the firearm or ammunition to be surrendered without further delay; 

(b) until the surrender is effected, keep the firearm or ammunition in a safe place; and 

(c) make a record of the quantity of firearms or ammunition that were received and to the extent possible, in the case of each firearm or ammunition 

the serial number; 

type; 

make; and 

model. 

(5) A copy of the information recorded under subsection (4) shall be submitted to the officer in charge, the officer on duty, as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event no later than the 25th day of May, 2024. 

(6) For the avoidance of doubt, the relief specified in section 45A (5) of the Act shall apply to each person who surrenders a firearm or ammunition in accordance with this Order. 

(7) In order to facilitate the surrender of any firearm or ammunition pursuant to this Order, the person making the surrender is encouraged to call ahead to the police station at which he or she intends so to do, prior to travelling with the firearm or ammunition, to inform the officer in charge or the officer on duty at the police station of the proposed surrender or to make arrangements for the surrender.

Made this 10th day of May, 2024.

…………………………

TERRANCE M DREW 

Minister of National Security

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