NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas government says it intends to amend the existing firearms law to include a wider coverage of illegal weapons, as well as tightening the restrictions for people who can qualify for a licensed firearm.
Attorney General Ryan Pinder told the Senate that the legislation would also deal with 3D printed guns and those assembled from home kits, as well as restrict people with criminal backgrounds, substance abuse issues or mental health disorders from obtaining a gun license.
“We will soon be bringing a new Firearms Act to Parliament. The present Firearms Act was enacted in 1969 with numerous piecemeal amendments made up to 2014. Times have changed in The Bahamas; it’s not rocket science … firearms technology has advanced and sadly, we have not kept abreast of either,” PInder told legislators.
“The new Firearms Bill, 2024 will have a much wider coverage of illegal firearms including gun kits, assembling firearms from kits as well as the production of 3D firearms. Did you know that using a 3D printer you can print the components of a firearm, assemble it and have a working firearm and that is being done in this country right now?
“… The bill will apply specifically to ghost guns which are inherently dangerous, they are unregulated, have no manufacturer’s name attached or serial number attached and are impossible to trace. We have those on our streets right now, guns that are impossible to trace.”
The Attorney General said the law would prohibit the acquisition of high-powered firearms, assault weapons, submachine and machine guns, as well as ammunition for these weapons or component parts. Any accessories that can convert a licensed firearm into one of these prohibited weapons would also be illegal.
It may also include a provision for routine inspection of a firearm in possession of a licensed gun owner to ensure it has not been illegally modified.
“We have persons who have properly licensed firearms who then convert into an automatic type of a weapon or other weapon which is not a licensable firearm,” Pinder said, adding “and because we don’t have firearm inspections, there is no way to know they have actually done this to a licensed firearm. All you do is renew your license. We will call for routine inspections of licensed firearms.”
He said the government may also tighten the restrictions for who can qualify for a licensed firearm.
“We are considering restricting persons with criminal records, persons with mental illness, persons with alcohol or substance abuse disorders and those who are unable to demonstrate competence by completion of a gun safety course from being granted a firearm license or a renewal of licenses.”
Under the existing law, people may apply to the Police Commissioner for a firearm license and that the weapons must be used for hunting, business security, or employment purposes.
Pinder also said the government will soon amend the National Crime Intelligence Act to create a better framework for intelligence regarding crime in the country.
