FAQs
Who can possess a firearm?
The person must be: – 18 years and above. – Physically fit. – Of Good Character. – Without Criminal traits or records.
What is the procedure in acquiring a firearm?
The applicant must: – Go to the nearest Police Station specifically the Firearm Licensing Office to apply for a specified firearm. – Subject themselves to forensic and physical background vetting. A permit will be issued to the applicant to acquire the weapon after the applicant has been cleared and there aren’t any criminal traits. The applicant with the permit can purchase the firearm only from a licensed arms and ammunition dealer for licensing by the police.
What is the validity period of the permit?
The validity of the permit is six (6) months and not renewable but can be re-applied. This implies that when a permit is issued, the applicant must purchase/acquire the firearm stated in the permit within six months for licensing, otherwise it becomes invalid and must be surrendered to the office of issue and then re-applied for.
Is a permit the same as a license to bear firearm?
No! A permit to purchase firearm does not replace the prescribed license to bear firearm. It is illegal to handle any firearm without license. Whilst the permit gives the applicant the authority to purchase the firearm within a period of six (6) months or lose its validity, the license to bear a firearm gives the applicant the right to own and handle a firearm for a period of one (1) year; renewable every year.
What if I don’t renew my license?
Your firearm becomes an illicit weapon thus rendering its use illegal; a situation you should avoid.
Can I sell/ transfer my firearm to another person? (Change of Ownership)
Any individual who possesses a license to bear a firearm may decide at any point in his/her life time to transfer the firearm to anyone of his/her choice as a gift or upon death as an inheritance. However, such transfer should take place at the police station with the beneficiary going through a procedure to satisfy the requirements as stipulated in the law
How and where can I acquire locally made firearms?
Act 118 of 1962 prohibited the local manufacture of arms and ammunition, whilst National Redemption Council Decree (NRCD) 9 of 1972 amended certain portions of Act 118 of 1962 and stated among other things that no person shall, except with the written consent of the National Redemption Council and subject to such conditions and restrictions as the council may determine, manufacture any arms and ammunition including explosives. In spite of this amendment, nobody as at now has applied to that effect. The law however gives the blacksmiths the license to repair imported firearms. As a result, some blacksmiths take advantage of the situation to illegally manufacture same making them easily accessible. Though the NCRD 9, 1972 does not completely prohibit anyone from manufacturing, once they are manufacturing without approval from the appropriate authorities, it becomes illegal. The implication of this is that anyone who acquires such firearms falls foul of the laws of the land and would have themselves to blame when the long arms of the law catch up with them.
Is The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons in charge of the issuance of permit and firearm licensing?
Does the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons sell firearms?
No! There are licensed arms and ammunitions dealers in the country. These dealers submit applications for permit to import fire arms and cartridges to the Minister responsible for the Interior for his approval or otherwise. They are the ONLY ones who are permitted to sell firearms, excluding arms of precision to the public upon presentation of a police permit.
Does the law allow individuals to import firearms into the country?
The law permits the Minister of the Interior to grant permit to individuals upon receipt of an application to import arms of precision such as pistols and revolvers (which dealers are not allowed to import for sale) into the country.
Who is a “first class arms and ammunition dealer?”
A person whose annual importation of shot guns and ammunition is more than 1000 pieces but not more than 2000 pieces.
Who is a “second class arms and ammunition dealer?”
A person whose annual importation of arms and ammunition is less than 1000 pieces.
Does the Police have the right to seize my firearm?
Where it considers it in the National Interest to do so, any member of the Police Service or the Armed Forces can be authorized to seize any arms or ammunition wherever they may be.
Is the law against publicly displaying firearm?
The law does not permit anyone to publicly display any arms or ammunition (including explosives) or discharge any firearm or other weapon in any public place.
What are Small Arms and Light Weapons?
Small Arms are arms designed for use by one person such as pistol, pump action gun, single – and double-barrel gun, revolver, AK 47, bomb and grenade missile. Light Weapons are portable arms designed to be used by two or several persons working together in a team such as heavy machine guns, portable grenade launchers and portable aircraft missile launchers
What does the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons do?
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons is a Commission established by an Act of Parliament; Act 736 of 2007 to advise on the issue and possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons (particularly the control of their illegal proliferation; production, trade, transfer and cross boundary movement which leads to their easy availability, accessibility, misuse and the fueling of crime) and to provide for related matters. The Commission is also by extension mandated to coordinate national implementation of the ECOWAS Convention, United Nations Firearms Protocol, UN Programme of Action (UNPoA) and other International Instruments on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and report on Ghana’s compliance of the obligations therein.
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