Law enforcers gear up for collecting unlicensed firearms

KUWAIT, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- Law enforcers are gearing up for putting into effect the much overdue unlicensed firearms and ammunition law which was passed by the parliament this week.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chaired Thursday a meeting for the Interior Ministry leaders to review and put the final touches on the security plans to enforce the law, the Ministry's Security Media Department said in a press statement.
The Ministry has prepared a water-tight deployment plan to search for and bring to justice possessors of unlicensed firearms or ammunition in any part of the country, Sheikh Mohammad said.
He stated that the Ministry also is embarking on a nation-wide media campaign to persuade those with unlawful weapons in their possession to hand them in to authorities before the end of the four-month grace period.
The Minister stressed that law enforcers will show due respect to the society traditions and the Islamic teachings during the inspection raids.
He noted that female officers will participate in the raids on Kuwaiti citizens' homes to inspect women's areas.
He underlined that the law aims to boost Kuwait's security and to fight the growing crimes.
The National Assembly voted into a law the unlicensed firearms and ammunition collection bill in its regular session on Tuesday.
The law stipulates that anyone possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition could be jailed for five years and be fined by up to KD 10,000 or one of the two penalties.
It also increases the jail time to ten years and the upper limits of the fine to KD 50,000 for anyone who deals (i.e. buying or selling) in unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The law allows police, after taking proper authorization from the public prosecutor, to search any public location and private or public vehicles if there was cause to believe the existence of unlicensed or unlawful firearms or ammunition.
It also stipulates that people with unlicensed firearms and ammunition who choose to hand them in to authorities would be exempted from punishment. Such people have four months from the time this law is in effect to hand in their unlicensed weapons to be considered for exemption.
Meanwhile, the Interior Minister congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the ninth anniversary of his assumption of power.
He wished His Highness the Amir everlasting wellbeing and Kuwait much security and stability under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah. (end) hmd.abd.ibi