Caroline Muscat
Plans to keep tighter control on weapons
The Home Affairs Ministry will be announcing amendments to the legislation regulating the possession, access to, and use of weapons in the coming year.
"An internal process has started to analyse all existing legislation regulating firearms. This internal process is nearing its end and the ministry will shortly start consulting with the relevant stakeholders... with a view to publishing the amendments in the coming year," a ministry spokesman told The Sunday Times.
In the wake of the shooting at the Mqabba Nationalist Party club last weekend, where a 31-year-old man opened fire on a group of people with a hunting shotgun, and following two murders earlier this month, questions were raised on whether revising the weapons regulations was necessary.
According to police historian Eddie Attard, violence with guns is increasing. Four out of five homicides in Malta this year involved guns. Mr Attard was in the process of researching the use of guns in homicides in Malta and has gathered data up to the year 2000.
There were two murders involving hunting shotguns in 1995, three in 1996, and rising to five in 1999. In 2000, three people were killed by hunting shotguns.
These figures excluded those cases where hunting shotguns were used to intimidate people or where the shooting did not result in a killing, as happened in Mqabba last week.
"In this day and age, I can buy a hunting shotgun for 'sport' as an excuse to have a firearm at home. Why are there so many people owning hunting shotguns and why are new ones being licensed when the sport is being restricted? Hunting guns are treated almost like toys," said Mr Attard, who is a former member of the police force.
The process to acquire a hunting shotgun licence is surprisingly simple. Any person over 18 years can apply by filling out a form at the dealer or the police. If the person has a clean police conduct he will be asked to attend a training course at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
The focus of the course is to understand what birds can be shot and when. It is suitably called an Environment Test, rather than a weapons-handling course.
Once the person can identify the birds from the bees, a licence is issued by the police. The whole process takes about a month, according to the police's weapons department.
One further condition is membership to a hunting club that provides insurance against a fee.
The hunters' federation, states on its website that there are some 12,000 hunters in Malta, which implies at least an equal amount of hunting shotguns on the island, excluding those unregistered.
As an incentive to increase membership registrations in 2009, the FKNK is offering a lottery ticket with every €5 donation - the prize is a semi-automatic shotgun.
The licensing process of sporting shotguns in the UK, in comparison, includes home visits by the police, background checks, and may even include medical checks to ensure mental well-being to determine whether the applicant is likely to pose a threat to public safety.
The rules that govern licensing and ownership of shotguns in Malta are less stringent for hunters than they are for other weapon holders. Arms Licensing Regulations were already revised in 2006.
Steve Petroni, president of the Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters and member of the Weapons Board that processes applications for licensing, was involved in the drafting of the revised regulations. He insisted: "Our Arms Act provides the ideal platform for proper police control.
"Under the old regime, anyone with a clean police conduct could acquire a firearm. Now, one has to qualify for a licence, which regulates the activity he wishes to take up," he added.
Asked whether he believed harsher penalties were required to stamp out abuse, he said, "the new law includes provision for harsh penalties; enforcement is the issue". The problem he identified was in the application of standards.
Anybody wanting to be licensed to possess a weapon must go through a club membership procedure and undergo a training course and test.
"Clubs should prepare applicants to the best of their abilities but the test should be conducted by the authorities," he insisted.
According to Mr Petroni, the problem of guns and crime in Malta is related to unlicensed guns: "Recent shootings have again confirmed that the persons who committed these acts were in possession of unregistered firearms."
The existing Arms Act has moved away from licensing guns to licensing people. Each person with a Target Shooter A licence can own up to 10 pieces.
According to figures seen by The Sunday Times, there are about 570 people owning such licences. The number of female applicants is also on the increase.
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S. Farrugia
Dec 29th 2008, 11:57
I feel safer if I know that there are 100 firearms which are all registered and under a licence rather than not knowing what a criminal may hold! Banning legally owned artefacts is not the solution! We all can see what happened in the UK!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Dec 29th 2008, 11:18
Most of the comments appearing below show that certain individuals have a hidden agenda and they use these online comments in order to reach their deceitful end!
Why is it that these individuals conveniently opt not to distinguish betwenn Poachers and Law-Abiding Hunters, and illegal possession as opposed to legally owned guns?
WELL, THEIR TARGET forbids them from taking off their blinkers!!!!
Frankie Bugeja
Dec 29th 2008, 10:26
I fully agree on a tighter control on weapons. This has been done previoulsy by the Clinton Administration and also in the UK. We have meditteranean mentality, somewhat shot fuse and fire arms could be an asset to tragedy.
John Portelli
Dec 29th 2008, 09:12
BY MAKING IT HARD TO PURCHASE FIREARMS LEGALLY.DOES NOT STOP CRIMINALS FROM OBTAINING THEM ILLEGALLY.....IT DID'NT WORK IN THE UK,USA AND HERE IN AUSTRALIA.WE HAVE SHOOTINGS BY BIKER GANGS,ILLEGAL AFRICANS,DRUG DEALERS ETC,YET WE HAVE A VERY STRICT GUN CONTROL...FOR WHAT??????
Richard Scotto
Dec 29th 2008, 08:51
@Victor Vella,
! The Paceville "murder" you referred to was actually an act of self defence as decided by a jury in a court of law.
2 The weapon was not a submachine gun as you erronously stated.
James Green
Dec 29th 2008, 00:54
If all contributors to this blog (journalists too please) took some time to familiarise themselves with our current legislation, most certainly all concerns regarding safety and legitimate firearms ownership would address all their reservations would have been adequately addressed.
Whatever Hollywood may portray, shooting from the hip is not conducive to hitting one’s target.
Our current legislation is the result of lengthy talks between The Interior Ministry, various shooting clubs and the Police. Each had their valid reasons and concerns.
A consensus was reached between the parties which adequately covered all aspects of
SAFE arms possession and use.
Following the publication of a White Paper, our Arms Legislation was enacted UNANIMOUSLY through parliament, which brought in line to what is prevalent THROUGHOUT the EU. (UK excepted).
If however anyone is aware of any shortcoming in our present legislation, then constructive sensible suggestions would be most welcome. Emotive outbursts not backed up by sound reasoning are NOT.
Democracies demand and expect responsibilities from its law abiding citizens who in turn will expect privileges, and not prohibitions and restrictions. We’ve had enough of those.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 28th 2008, 23:32
After all these comments about firearms, that only go to show the prevailing ignorance about the subject, the Home Affairs Ministry might want to explain how he intends controlling illegal firearm ownership.
This article and comments give one the impression that legal ownership of firearms is the problem and that the increase in gun related crime is related to such legal ownership.
Is the minister concerned seriously considering these accusations. If so i expect to hear his own version of facts. So far the scaremongers are having a good time impressing the public with their nonsense.
Can anyone honestly state that gun collectors and hunters own guns as they intend committing crimes. It is like saying that all car owners are possible hit and run criminals. Or all owners of a bread knife are possible criminals.
The criminal will always find ways and means of sourcing a weapon. I don't expect him to buy one and license it before committing the crime. So what exactly is all this fuss about.
Judging by the wording it seems to be an attack on hunters and gun collectors and not a factual look at the problem.
Alex Ellul
Dec 28th 2008, 21:23
Anton Portelli: Just because we cannot control evil deeds does not mean that we should legalise these. neither should we ban god things just because an evil person uses it to carry out evil. Shouls you check what I wrote in my first comment below, or let me save you a few clicks of the mouse lest you get hurt and start a campaign to ban pc mice:
1. One must require a psychiatist's clean bill of health for gun ownership, with repeats every few years.
2. Hunting shotguns must be locked safely during the closed seasons, under lock and key and guard if necessary.
Human life demands it. Ask the victims' families.
Nowhere did I say ban the gun, just keep it and its owner under control.
Edwin John Matthews
Dec 28th 2008, 21:15
I concur with Anton Porteli (re knives). Shooters in Britain have a bad name yet at the Phoenix meeting held at Bisley, an annual event, The (British NRA) allow stalls that sell knives to be present. What is this? Obviously commercialism. I will be writing to the (British) NRA objecting to this practice
victor vella
Dec 28th 2008, 21:03
Most crimes are committed by persons using unlicensed shotguns, we all know that there are also sub machine guns in Malta, at least two murders have been committed using such weapons,I believe they were one in Pacevile and the Raymond Caruana murder , revolvers are available too I have seen bullet holes in glass all over Malta through the years.So why go into the hustle of regulating licences and why are we all shouting about shotguns, but as usual we are going about things the easy way.We are a nation with a good police force but a weak court system,why not increase the penalty for illegal possesion of any type of weapon and increase the penalty to about 15 years inprisonment without giving the judge or magistrate any bracket of leniancy.Then we would be sure that anyone haveing an illegal weapon, be it gun or other weapon would face a good number of years away from the comunity.
Anton Portelli
Dec 28th 2008, 20:03
@ Alex Ellul
You mentioned a whole lot of instances how people can get killed, and nobody bans any of these. A host of other items are potential weapons - Knives, Screw drivers, Baseball bats but nobody thinks about registering them. Actually in England at the moment there have been a number of murders with knives. Their possession is illegal but this has not diminished the crime rate.
Similarly as Edwin John Matthews state the banning of pistols in England did nothing to reduce the crime rate - Criminals always will find ways and means in procuring them. It is better for the ministry of justice to concentrate how to reduce the illegal importation of fire arms rather tightening on the genuine sporting persons.
Anthony Formosa
Dec 28th 2008, 19:59
@Edward Camilleri, Ooooh No please don't let your imagination runs before you get the facts right, semi autos takes only three (3) cartridges and not thirty as you and others might think.
Personally what irritates me is that everyone seems to be focusing just on shotguns, mainly because they are used for hunting, I think this report confused many people, 1) A weapon is not just a shotgun, anything that is sharp or pointed is considered as a weapon. 2) You cannot control something which is already under control. 3) If drugs are smuggled into our country likewise all sorts of weapons can be smuggled, in-fact this will be another industry and criminality will increase. I think it's high time to find the source that leads to criminality rather than trying to control sport guns. Who in the right mind is not against guns in the wrong hands? we all have children don't we, but since a shotgun was used I'm afraid that someone found the opportunity to punish hunters.
@ F Farrugia I hope you visited the site I placed and convinced enough that shotguns are sporting guns.
Stephen Petroni
Dec 28th 2008, 19:35
@ John Axiaq
With all due respect to you personally, I believe that it is blinkered persons like you who fail to distinguish between legally-held firearms used in a social and cultural context (sports, recreational, collection, research) by licensed persons and unregistered ones held by persons for a criminal intent.
True enthusiasts are all for proper regulation and cooperation with the authorities to ensure that abuse is minimised. That is why they fully support the Arms Act which has made it legally impossible for persons to acquire a firearm without being licensed for specific activities.
Therefore you are way out of line when you point fingers at law-abiding gun owners following actions committed by criminals of all shades using illegally held firearms. On the other hand, if you were to call for tough action against persons who abuse then you would find serious enthusiasts four-square with you.
Edwin John Matthews
Dec 28th 2008, 19:32
The Maltese shooting fraternity should be contacted for input. It would be beneficial to all concerned that input applies to ALL parties. I also ask the question "what is a hunting shotgun". A shotgun is a shotgun is a shotgun. I do not know Steven Petroni although I have heard of him, but he appears to me that he is a person who knows what he is talking about. Perhaps the "Times" should interview him in depth.
James Green
Dec 28th 2008, 19:30
Both recent episodes involved UNLICENSED firearms.
Both the accused were unemployed.
Were these persons known to the Police to have a violent disposition? Were they ever found guilty of such crimes? Were they given a ‘suspended sentence’? Would a custodial sentence instead have prevented the crimes?
If the Minister contemplates further restrictions on legitimate gun ownership would this have ANY effect on criminals in possession of unregistered firearms?
Would a black market be created for such firearms? Would we have to renege on Schengen, and would we be the odd man out in the whole of the EU (besides the UK)?
Would we reap the whirlwind of violent crimes involving guns and knives as in the UK and Australia following their misguided legislation against legitimate firearms ownership?
Police have often stated that illegal and unregistered firearms possession is the problem NOT legitimate ownership. And any new legislation if any should address the problem of violent crimes committed with a weapon.
We have a good weapons legislation, with adequate checks and balances. One of the few laws that passed through our parliament unanimously. Must the law abiding bear the brunt of the misdeeds of criminals?
Richard Scotto
Dec 28th 2008, 19:13
One's position regarding the ownership of firearms reflects a lot how that person views his fellow citizens, either as an essentially trustworthy and productive member of society or else as being part of an unruly mob who must be controlled,supervised and lorded over.
Edwin john Matthews
Dec 28th 2008, 18:22
It is obviously apparent to me that the comments that you have received so far are from people who are "conversant" with firearms. The British press have a habit of "sensationalism" to put over a story to sell papers I would prefer EDUCATION to the public in regard to firearms. If the public (in Britain) had read the Cullen report as opposed to the kneejerk reports from the press and the "snowdrop" report. Perhaps we may still have the right to own/possess handguns. "Oh for the American 2nd Ammendment". I believe that the lady responsibe for the snowdrop report has confessed that she does not know anything about firearms. Education is required, not sensationalism.
Lino Farrugia
Dec 28th 2008, 18:08
Two questions: Why did the relative authorities stop the FKNK from carrying out gun handling and safety tests with new hunting licence applicants, which tests the FKNK had begun to carry out on a voluntary basis in the early nineties?
Why could not The Times do a decent report about the 5 Euro donation that the FKNK is collecting primarily from hunters and trappers and also report that besides being linked to a lottery for a semi-automatic perfectly legal shotgun, part of each 5 Euro donation will in turn be donated to a philantropic institution by the FKNK in 2009?
Lino Farrugia
Secretary
Federation for Hunting & Conservation - Malta (FKNK)
Franco Farrugia
Dec 28th 2008, 18:04
All the remarks being levelled against Mr Eddie Aquilina all show that we are trying to shoot down the messenger.
Edward Camilleri
Dec 28th 2008, 18:00
Why should FKNK encourage the use of semi-automatic shotguns by giving one as a prize? Do hunters need semi-automatics for hunting? If so I'm more than ever convinced that traditional hunting is no longer practiced by anyone in Malta.
John Axiak
Dec 28th 2008, 17:41
@ Stephen Petroni and Edwin Matthews
I regret to say that you fail to distinguish between objects (such as guns) whose primary purpose is to cause damage, coerce others and exhibit might, from other utilities in general whose primary purpose is to afford a more comfortable living (such as cars, trains, ships, certain knives).
If an object such as a gun, does not have any social benefits and it is resulting in several unnecessary deaths, then government is justified in restricting its use and obstruct its availability.
p.s. at Petroni: as far as I know acts that award a person the status of a hooligan are already illegal.
Rod Enderby
Dec 28th 2008, 17:39
The problem is ILLEGAL guns. They are becoming too easy to obtain-certainly in the UK and I doubt that the Maltese Islands are an exception. The "punishment" in the UK is farcical- a maximum of 7 years imprisonment-a joke. Proper deterrent sentences for supplying or possessing an illegal firearm- 25 years imprisonment and no remission-then, they might just think twice.
toni borg
Dec 28th 2008, 17:27
@Alex Ellul,
ask the victims families, ask those in wheelchairs,ask those disabled for life,by some drunken driver or careless driver,and our driving insurances allways going up paying for other peoples carelessnes and of those happy scumachers , and if you don`t know the criminal allways carry unregistered guns it`s allover the world,
Stephen Petroni
Dec 28th 2008, 15:45
Let’s all join the “ban-it brigade” which is calling for a total gun-ban. We must also call for the banning of motor vehicles because they are the cause of the highest number of fatal accidents. And trains, aircraft and ships - so many lives were lost as a result of accidents. Let’s face it, we can stay in our respective countries and watch football on TV… But hold it, there’s so much hooliganism in football - ban it! And while we’re at it lets ban all dangerous sports such as diving. The list is endless... but wait, what about sex? Well now there’s a dangerous one with too many deviants and rape cases. Let’s ban that too and castrate all men. We all know that sex could lead to the procreation of people who want to ban everything which they are ignorant of and land us with an extremely boring life. Oops…
So instead of joining the’ “ban-it brigade” let’s politely invite them to emigrate to some corner of the world where they can set up a communist-style gulag where they can spend the rest of their years thinking of which devilish inventions to ban.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 28th 2008, 15:41
Before stating his "expertise"Eddie Attard should at least have the decency to distinguish between crimes committed with licensed and unlicensed firearms.
It would be interesting to see what the Home Affairs Ministry intends doing on the possession and use of unlicensed firearms before restricting legal gun owners any further.
As for hunting licenses the Prime Minister might want to consider suggestions presented to him personally in the presence of his secretary Mr Leonard Callus in June 2008 by KACCATURI SAN UBERTU.
These proposals included the necessary amendments to the current ridiculous system. To date our proposals which also included several other beneficial amendments to hunting laws have been totally ignored.
What are you waiting for Dr. Gonzi. Haven't you realized that all the PN have done in relation to hunting in Malta is nothing but a mess? I'm afraid the people that guide you in this respect have a hidden agenda which surprisingly has fooled you so far!!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
KACCATURI SAN UBERTU
I
A Brincat
Dec 28th 2008, 15:31
Such plans or banning firearms won't solve such events.
those who use firearms to murder or to use them for criminal activity, own an unregistered firearm!!! and the plan should consist of reducing unregistered firearms and not reducing the number of legal firearms. The proposed plan would only lead to an increase in the number of illegal firearms!!!!
Edwin John Matthews
Dec 28th 2008, 14:41
I hope common sense will prevail in Malta with regard to FIREARMS (not weapons). A screwdriver,knife,picece of wood etc can be classed as a "weapon" if used in an offensive manner. We in Britain, after the tragedy at Dunblane, lost the right to own/possess handguns. Has gun crime decreased? NO it hasn't it has INCREASED, this is due to ILLEGAL guns in the possession of criminals. Now Britain has won the right to host the olympic games, there has still not been a decision as to where the pistol shooting events are to take place. At the moment a shooter wishing to represent Britain in these events has to practice abroad (at their own expense), apply to "import" their firearms into their own country to represent it in the olympic games. Pure hypocracy on behalf of the British government. I have been shooting now for 54 years, represented the British Army (good enough to carry a gun then) and yet after Dunblane was considered "unsuitable" to own/possess a handgun. I pursue my hobby in Belgium and Malta and I find that genuine shooters are some of the best sportsmen/women in the world. NO HYPOCRACY FOR MALTA.
Alex Ellul
Dec 28th 2008, 14:15
@Anton Portelli: People have died due to:
Choking on apples, slipping on banana skins, falling off buildings, peanut allergies, medicine allergies, medicine abuse or taking the wrong medicine... etc etc. Do we ban apples, bananas, buildings, medicines....? of course not. Why, because these are not meant to kill but to make us feel better. But Guns are meant to kill. That's the difference. Well, I think you slipped on a banana skin there boy.
J. Borg
Dec 28th 2008, 13:55
In the last two murders that were committed at Qormi - a shotgun was used.
In September, the accused stated that he had the shotgun in his vehicle because he was an avid hunter and it was the hunting season.
The accused in this month's murder, was previously convicted of illegalities relating to hunting & trapping. Thus the shotgun in his home.
I'm not saying that hunters are criminals - BUT hunting - as a matter of fact - leaves a number of shotguns in the hands of persons, in our neighbourhood, and along the roads we drive on - not to mention obviously in the countryside.
Anton Portelli
Dec 28th 2008, 13:45
Mr. Nick Galea is in favor of banning the possession of all guns. Will this give a guarantee that no guns will be available to the criminal? Certainly not. It would be more informative if the government published the number of criminal acts committed with illegally owned weapons versus those committed with registered weapons.
What is strange in offering a gun as a lottery prize? Certainly more people have been killed in Malta by irresponsible drivers. Just yesterday l-Istrina was offering cars as prizes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Besides killing people in accidents cars also kill people slowly with their fumes, so why not ban all cars from our island and resort back to donkey cars Mr. Galea. Mind you however, donkeysare also dangerous - they can bite and can kick!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nigel Lawrence
Dec 28th 2008, 13:43
It is so EASY to control guns- if you know who has them. Now, try and control the guns which are imported illegally. Gotcha!
Nick Galea
Dec 28th 2008, 12:53
The ideal would be to ban all guns in Malta - life would be much better! Less crimes, more birds, less noises of gun shots....and perhaps the only guns should be kept at ranges where people can go clay pigeon shooting.However, with our culture for hunting this will never happen, so the next best thing must be far stricter regulation. Make tests for people to get their weapons licence (mental tests included)which must be repeated ever 5 years.Increase the value of the licnece, and increase substantially the penalty of owning illegal guns.Also stricter rules regarding guns in public;one should not be allowed to have a gun in his trunk simply because he has a licence!
Tonu Caruana
Dec 28th 2008, 12:50
Again GonziPN is is confusing the issue. They are confusing Legal possesion of a firearm with illegal and unregistered ones.
Just because the goverment is incompetent to control unregistered firearms IT wants to be seen as if it is trying to do something.
As for the so called police historian maybe he can tell us how many crimes where carried out
by ILLEGAL UNREGISTERED firearms as to me he seems as incompetent as our Goverment
Charles Micallef
Dec 28th 2008, 12:15
I believe that there is a larger number of unlicensed guns than licensed
These plans should not politicised and should be given all the backing by us the general public to make sure that whenever possible these guns are brought under control.
We have enough unarmed cowboys driving about, let us at least try to control the illicit ones!
Charles Sammut
Dec 28th 2008, 11:53
It would be interesting to learn how many crimes were committed using licensed firearms.
The number is probably infinitesimal. In fact due to strict controls it is very unlikely that a licensed firearm is used in a crime as the perpetrator will be given away by the forensic evidence.
So please let us not confuse the issue regarding the legitimate ownership of firearms.
Anthony Formosa
Dec 28th 2008, 11:22
It is amazing how historian police jumps to conclusions and tries to fool the readers, in the past to own a shotgun you needed to be 21 years of age and have two witnesses to sign for you nothing more nothing less, there was no need either to identify birds from bees as Mr Attard said. The problem today is that the police cannot identify between a hunting shotgun and a shotgun used for criminality, or a hunter and a criminal. What is so amusing if the FKNK is offering a hunting shotgun as a prize, what do you expect to give Lingerie?
@Mr Attard and Mr F. Farrugia who seems to know well about handling of shotguns or prizes in UK please visit this site please and then make your comments.
http://www.sportinggun.co.uk/gunshow/141432/Readers039_Gallery_Page_1.html
One last question to the historian police, Why hunters were granted with a shotgun licence to hold and to carry and the police were never armed with guns?
mario salnitro
Dec 28th 2008, 10:56
dear mr f. farrugia.
and why not a prize of a semi -auto shotgun??
first of all this shotgun is a 3 shot shotgun not a 20 or 30 shot semi auto or full auto machine gun .
and why not??
more people die in car related accidents than with cars.
so no lottery should give a car as a first prize !!
j cassar
Dec 28th 2008, 10:55
If not mistaken firearms were used in all 5 murders this year, success 100% . Looks like after the new firearms act 2005, fireamrs used in crime were on the increase, not as some persons made some officials believe that crime rate would decrease.
Now everyone can evaluate the figures,
Even the ministry are alarmed with the new arms act, and after such a short time since coming into force someone is already working on amendments.
Happy New Year to all.
Alex Ellul
Dec 28th 2008, 10:39
In my opinion:
1. One must require a psychiatist's clean bill of health for gun ownership, with repeats every few years.
2. Hunting shotguns must be locked safely during the closed seasons, under lock and key and guard if necessary.
Human life demands it. Ask the victims' families.
mario salnitro
Dec 28th 2008, 10:39
why call a shotgun a hunting shotgun??
a shotgun can be used for trap shooting skeet and other forms of shooting, why is it being called a hunting shotgun??
is it maybe to make people hate hunters??
i wonder!!
shame on people who try to manipulate words for there own ideas.
if any thing shoud be controlled the importation of fully automatic and semi -automatic machine guns and high power rifles should be under stricter rules.
i cannotn understand how importation of these high power weapons is allowed, but many of us who have been in the buisness know why !!!
also people who want to commit a crime with a weapon will always find a way to find one illegally.
just one question if anyone can answer.
how many guns where stolen this year????
and all the crimes committed this year how many guns were legally possessed by the person comitting the crime??
Franco Farrugia
Dec 28th 2008, 10:38
But how do these guns come into the country? They are not small things - they are easy to discover.
We live on an island, so everything that comes into the island is monitored by Customs.
So .... what's happening?!
'The prize is a semi-automatic shotgun.' Fine prize!