Senate okays bill to restrict firearm control 

The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading, a bill seeking to restrict firearms control and curtail the proliferation of illegal arms to effectively address some of the security challenges facing the country. 

The Bill seeks to repeal Firearms Control Act No. 32 of 1959 Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact the Firearms Control 2022 to prevent the proliferation of illegally-possessed firearms and, by providing for the removal of those firearms from society.

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The sponsor of the bill, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger) said it has become imperative to restrict firearm control as the country is experiencing the most-devastating effects of the proliferation of illegal weapons. 

According to him, the Principal Act is obsolete and using it as an instrument to tackle the 21st-century security challenges is simply ineffective. 

He said, “The illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons has had a dramatic impact on peace and security in Africa, threatening not only the existence of countries but also the livelihoods of millions of people across the continent. 

“On the 31st of January 2017, the Nigerian Customs Service confirmed the interception and seizure of 661 Pump Action riffles imported illegally into the country from China. 

“One can only imagine the challenging situation we would have found ourselves had such a large number of illegal firearms not been intercepted. Hence, there is the need to have legislation in place that will control firearms in this country.”

Firearm licenses, he said, maybe denied to those felt most at risk of harming themselves or others, such as persons with a history of domestic violence, alcoholism or substance abuse, mental illness, depression or attempted suicide. 

The lawmaker said if left unchecked, the proliferation of illegal firearms would not only jeopardize the developmental gains achieved over the last 50 years but would also impede the nation’s capacity to achieve its developmental targets.