KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to authorise the state governments in issuance of firearm license would be discussed further, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Azis Jamman said a lot of factors would be put into consideration in discussing the matter, including safety, management and the screening process.
“We will discuss this further before deciding that it could be implemented,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Noorita Sual (PH DAP-Tenom).
Noorita had asked whether the government would allow the respective district police chiefs to issue firearm license, in lone with efforts to give authority to the state governments.
She also asked for the reasons for the delay in issuing the license, which was said could be extended up to a year.
Azis said careful examination and verification with agencies like the Health Ministry are required before a permit is issued as it involved a matter of security.
“There were instance where the applicants do not even have fingers. How are we supposed to approve the applications?
“How are they able to hold a firearm? There were also wheelchair-bound persons who submitted applications.
“There are a lot of factors in determining whether or not to approve the license,” he said.
On another supplementary question by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN UMNO-Bera) on the transfer of license ownership to next-of-kin, Azis said in principal, the government would not approve such application.
However, he said, the government would provide exemption for new applications or if the people fulfilled criteria in the issuance of firearm license.
“We will approve (the application) if the child is eligible (including) based on physical factor, and if it would be used to care for the family’s orchard that they took over (for instance),” he added.