FIREARMS: Police Powers and duties to revoke a F/A licence

Question 1

Police powers and duties to revoke a F/A license.

Procedures revoking licenses: What are the processes in revoking a firearms license? (7)

Answer 1

1. If you suspect a F/A licence holder is no longer a fit and proper person to be in possession of a F/A, your first priority is to seize any F/A and F/A licence that are in the holders possession.
2. Present the facts to a police Inspector or above.
3. Inspector must then: Decide whether to revoke the license, by assessing the information you have on the holder and applying the criteria of s27 and s27A Arms Act 1983 If a decision is made to revoke the license, follow s11 Arms Manual 2002.
4. Person must have the opportunity to make oral and/or written submissions.
5. Document every action.
6. After arresting a person for an offence, check if they have a F/A licence. If so and it is in your opinion not a fit and proper person to do so, take action to revoke it. Notifying the local arms officer is the first step.
7. When on premises where F/A are stored, check F/A security. Consider seeking to revoke the licence if the conditions are breached.

Question 2

Police powers and duties to revoke a F/A license.

What if a person who has their F/A revoked appeals your decision to a District Court?

Answer 2

1. District Court will hear the matter afresh. Careful documentation is essential as the Court will make its decision on papers.