Thursday, July 8, 2010

POLICE WARN PUBLIC AGAINST ILLEGAL FIREARM USE (PAGE 42, JULY 8, 2010)

THE Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command has warned individuals in the Sunyani Municipality who use fireams, weapons and ammunition without the requisite permit to desist from the practice.
It added that it would embark on an exercise in the next few weeks to arrest and prosecute offenders.
A statement released in Sunyani and signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Seth Charles Oteng, noted with concern, the consistent disobedience and the flouting of the laws governing the importation, acquisition and the use of arms and ammunition by certain unscrupulous individuals in the region and reminded the residents that the practice contravened the existing Arms and Ammunition Laws, especially, Arms and Ammunition Act 1972 (NRCD).
It said the ease with which armed robbers and other criminals had access to arms and ammunition also raised serious security concerns for residents in Sunyani, the regional capital in particular, and the entire region.
The statement pointed out that no person was permitted to use a firearm, weapon or ammunition without authority and that, no one below the age of 18 years was entitled to own and use any firearm, weapon or ammunition.
“Again, no person other than a person registered and permitted to operate as a dealer, shall trade in or sell firearm, weapon or ammunition, and no person, except permitted by the Act or with consent by the Inspector General of Police, shall publicly display any arms or ammunition or discharge a firearm or any other weapon in a public place,” it added
It warned further that: ‘‘No registered dealer shall sell any firearm, weapon or ammunition to any person other than a valid permit holder’’,
It advised all persons operating outside the requirement of the law to put an end to that act, adding that an exercise to arrest and prosecute offenders would be conducted soon.

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