Brief for the Minister
De-activation of Firearms
The background to the establishment of a firearms de-activation service in Jersey is set out in the report dated April 2011 that the Chief Officer Home Affairs presented to the Firearms Law Liaison Group (FLLG) at its meeting on 16 May 2011.
At the meeting, the FLLG and the Minister agreed, inter alia, the following:-
1. That discussions could take place with a local firearms dealer for the provisions of a de-activation service in Jersey. Newton & Newton have indicated that they would be interested in providing a de-activation service for Jersey and that they have the relevant skills to do so;
2. That a de-activation stamp should be produced in accordance with the mark below:
3. That a firearm would be considered permanently unfit for use if:-
- the barrel is permanently blocked
- the barrel and receiver are pinned to ensure the barrel cannot be replaced
- the bolt or breach block firing pin aperture is welded to prevent re-activation
4. That a guidance note be produced.
5. That firearms previously de-activated in Jersey should be taken to the local dealer, who is to provide the de-activation service, and issued with a new mark and a certificate once they are satisfied as to the standard of de-activation.
6. That discussions take place with a UK contractor in Plymouth with whom the local dealer can operate.
Article 51 of the Firearms (Jersey) Law 2000 deals with de-activated weapons and states that:
For the purposes of this Law it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, that a firearm has been rendered incapable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile, and has consequently ceased to be a firearm for the purposes of this Law, if –
(a) it bears a mark which has been approved by the Minister for denoting that fact and which has been made by a person approved by the Minister for the purposes of this Article;
In accordance with the Law, therefore, the Minister is required to approve the ‘proof’ mark and to approve the person to carry out the de-activation of firearms.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Minister formally:-
1. Approves the ‘proof’ mark set out above.
2. Approves Newton & Newton to carry out de-activation of firearms in Jersey.
3. Notes the guidance note that has been produced in relation to de-activation
Executive Officer
Home Affairs
26 October 2011