Gov’t toughens weapons licensing regulations

AMMAN (JT) — Individuals will be banned from possessing automatic weapons and all relevant licences in this regard will be considered null and void under an amended bill proposed by the government.

The Cabinet announced the changes on Wednesday, as it discussed suggested amendments to the draft weapons and ammunition draft law, apparently aimed to further control crime and possession of individual arms.

As stipulated in the new amendments, individual and judicial persons can obtain licences for pistols, but automatic weapons will be limited to security companies and private guards, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The draft law also lists penalties of imprisonment and temporary hard labour between three months and three years or a JD1,000 fine or both penalties against everyone convicted  for practising festive firings, in addition to confiscating the weapon used, Petra added.

New articles were added to the draft law that completely ban carrying, selling, purchasing, possessing or importing any hunting rifles (pump-action or automatic) which use fixed or mobile ammunition depots that can accommodate more than one bullet.

Such articles exclude the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, Public Security Department, Gendarmerie Department, General Intelligence Department, Civil Defence Department, and any government employee who is provided with such weapons as part of their job.

All previous licences for possessing and carrying the mentioned hunting rifles are void, and those who have such licences registered in their names have to hand these rifles to police stations within six months after the law goes into effect.

“They will receive fair compensation,” the Cabinet said in a statement. 

Under the draft law, people with valid gun licences are not allowed to carry their weapons in public buildings, universities and other educational institutions, and during official and public occasions, conferences, meetings or demonstrations.