Private possession of firearms more complicated than ever—Busingye

Busingye revealed this on Tuesday in a press conference following hot debates that followed Monday discussions on the draft law regulating firearms in Rwanda.

The law with 74 articles defines requirements for an individual person to do firearms business and how they can apply for license to possess a gun.

Different people questioned the law wondering whether it is necessary for Rwandans to possess firearms.

Busingye explained that the law had also been in place since 1979. He said that in the ongoing reforms being introduced in penal code to harmonise the laws with the Constitution of Rwanda as revised in 2015, the law regulating firearms has been also considered.

He said that the Law relating to Arms has been in place since 1979 and was revised in 1982, 2009 and is now under revision.

Busingye explained that the law is not popular because few people only use arms.

“These private security companies using arms are regulated by this law,” he said.

According to Busingye, under the law, for an individual person to possess guns, the process has been complicated to the extent that possibility is ‘about impossible’.

“In Rwanda, possessing, manufacturing, selling, proliferation of firearms and related substances in the law that was revised in 2009, despite security companies which have trained personnel, it is far more complicated for individuals to go through legal processes and fill all the requirements to possess a gun,” he explained.

He said that through the law, the process to acquisition of firearms has been tightened to the extent that Police Inspector General is the prime level to provide license of owning the arms and the highest level is cabinet.

“I would like to tell you that the process is getting tougher than before. People should not think that firearms will be sold in shops like sugar and salt,” he added.

The proposed law allows civilians to possess firearms for hunting, sports, or for self-defence purposes if they meet the conditions described in the law.

The law defines arms as firearms and their ammunition, grenade and other explosives used as arms as well as nuclear, biological, chemical or toxic weapons.

Minister Busingye speaks to the media on Tuesday
Busingye addressing the media on Tuesday in Kigali

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