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Micoud North MP and former police officer Jeremiah Norbert believes there is a need to handle a large number of applications for licensed firearms, while opining that this was one of the reasons behind the proposed new five-member Licensing Board of Firearms.
“I think one of the reasons the board implemented or we’re suggesting to the board is that there are a large number of applications for firearms. Some people said they’ve been applying for five, six, seven years and haven’t even received a phone call or an interview,” Norbert told reporters on Monday.
He said what was unfair.
“You should at least do an interview. If you don’t qualify, you should be notified,” he asserted.
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“I think that the whole idea and holding a board and lowering the board on a quarterly basis would eliminate the problem of long waiting times for people who apply,” said the deputy.
And he told reporters that whether someone qualifies or not, they should receive notification within a reasonable time.
Asked if given the current rise in crime he expects an increase in firearms applications, Norbert pointed to an increase.
“I think we’ve seen quite a few other applications that are going through because I mean the current climate is one where people are fearing for their lives and they’re making applications for firearms. It’s squeezing the police a little bit, because I mean there’s vetting – it’s a process,” he said.
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He told reporters that not everyone would be given a licensed firearm. “We are also being very careful because we have had cases where people who have been issued a firearms license have had reports of them using their firearms or using the license to get ammunition. to give to persons who are not licensed,” revealed Norbert. He said he understood the need for the proposed Firearms Licensing Board.
However, the MP for Micoud North told reporters that some police officers are concerned that the discretion will not rest with the Police Commissioner alone.
However, he noted that since the board has not yet been established, there is still time for dialogue with the police.
“As much as we said that the Police Commissioner should be the chairman of that board, the board has not been implemented and the police have the opportunity to have a conversation with us about some of the issues they have and the concerns they have. be mitigated moving forward and we can ensure that whatever we do across the board is more convenient not only for the police but also for the public,” he noted.
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