Sri Lankas Ministry of Defence today informed licensees to return all certified guns that have not been returned and submitted for assessment, before January 20, 2025, in line with the choice taken to guarantee a safe society by minimizing the use and abuse of guns in the civil society and by implementing appropriate regulation.The Ministry of Defence through electronic and print media had actually formerly announced that all firearms and ammo issued to civilians for individual defense should be gone back to the federal government by 21 November 2024 for a quantitative review.In action to the notice, about 85% of the licensees have returned their guns, the ministry stated releasing a statement today (19 ).
Additionally, the licensees were notified to submit appeals to the Ministry of Defence before October 30, 2024 describing the requirement if they want to maintain their firearms.
The licensees who have actually sent appeals were notified to submit relevant documents in addition to their firearms to the Ministry of Defence for examination and review.The Ministry of Defence stated it decided to issue just one firearm per person for personal defense and it will be issued after considering intelligence reports.The evaluation of all appeals for firearms and gun evaluations will be completed on January 20, 2025 and licensees are requested to send their guns for inspection before that date, the declaration said.Furthermore, it has been observed that a considerable quantity of firearms and ammunition have been issued by the Sri Lanka Army and the Police in the past.
The Ministry of Defence has advised that these guns and ammunition be returned to the government before December 31, 2024.
Accordingly, the licenses are informed to follow the directives and hand over these firearms and ammunition to the closest police stations, the ministry said.It is likewise informed that legal action will be taken against licensees who stop working to return their guns for assessment before the specified date under the Firearm Ordinance No.
33 of 1916.
In line with this decision taken by the Ministry of Defence to guarantee a safe society by lessening the use and misuse of guns in the civil society and by carrying out appropriate guideline, the licensees are notified to return all licensed guns that have not been returned and submitted for examination, before January 20, 2025.
The Defence Ministry also highlighted that legal action will be taken versus those who stop working to do so.