Mr. Asante Gyebi, Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Commission, revealed they are pushing for an amendment to the existing Arms jad Ammunition Act.
This change would introduce stricter penalties for people who own unlicensed guns, which would serve as a deterrent.
Mr Gyebi expressed concern that people arrested for owning unlicensed firearms often receive lenient punishments, which encourages others to possess guns without a license.
During an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Gyebi stated that the commission is currently working with authorities to introduce a maximum ten-year jail sentence for individuals who own guns without a license.
“We all know that authorities charge people who kill others with a first-degree felony,” he told host Kwabena Agyapong. “But for those who own guns without a license, the punishment they receive isn’t severe enough. We are in talks with authorities to amend the law so that people who own guns without a license receive a maximum of ten years in jail to serve as a deterrent.”
Mr Asante Gyebi noted that the Minister of Interior is currently leading this initiative and is hopeful that by the end of the year, the proposed amendment will be submitted to Parliament for consideration.
“The Minister is leading the charge and has already gone through the proposed amendment,” he stated. “He will soon submit it to the cabinet, and if the cabinet approves it, then they will submit it to Parliament for consideration.”
In addition to this proposal, Gyebi revealed that the new law will also regulate the gun market by properly training, authorizing, and licensing stakeholders in the industry.
He went on to state that the law will also have a provision for hunters and members of Asafo groups who engage in musketry, among others.
Meanwhile, Gyebi advised Ghanaians to think carefully before owning guns, as it comes with several consequences.
He indicated that “owning a gun comes with a lot of consequences. Your children could pick up these guns and, without any knowledge, pull the trigger and create a serious crisis for you. A gun could also trigger your emotions and force you to fire unnecessarily when you have issues with people, so don’t just own a gun without any justifiable reason.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
