Hog-wash!
FLA fires back at claims change in law prohibits shooting of pigs, deer
Published:Tuesday | November 15, 2022 | 12:13 AM
Shane Dalling, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), has dismissed a complaint from some local shooters that the new Firearms Act has made it illegal for them to hunt wild animals, including hogs and deer.
The issue was raised on social media in recent days, but the FLA head has asserted that the act was always illegal, provided no permit was granted to carry out the activity.
“It was always a breach of the law. Ask the shooters to show where in law it provides for them to shoot anything without a permit,” Dalling challenged in a Gleaner interview on Sunday.
“It’s a non-issue. They were never allowed under law to do it in the first place. That’s a fact,” he added.
He pointed to Sections 58(5) and 72 of the Firearms Act which set out the terms and conditions under which a firearm licence can be granted and amended by the FLA.
Once there is an application for a permit to hunt wild animals, if approved, the licence is amended by the FLA to reflect this.
Further, Dalling said an additional permit is required from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to shoot protected birds within a specific period.
Executive chairman of Mayberry Investments Limited, Chris Berry, in a Twitter post on Saturday, said that the new legislation prohibited the shooting of wild animals.
“Now people can’t shoot wild hogs, deer, because of a new law. I guess this is how we create a great environment for work, play, and rearing kids? Meanwhile, citizens get slaughtered daily.
“This is what I call leadership by PR; accomplishes nothing while making our island a more unattractive place to spend time,” he wrote.
Dalling called his comment “a non-argument”.
“It was always not provided for under law that they may shoot wild animals or anything with their guns as they feel like they want to shoot,” the FLA CEO said.
National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, in the meantime, said that there is no objection to the hunting of the deer and hogs but noted that all aspects of firearms must be regulated.
He said that the joint select committee of Parliament which reviewed the bill remained open to public comments for a long time, but noted that very few responses came for Section 2 of the act which speaks to penalties.
“There were a lot of responses on the shooters’ side where we’re seeking to put the commercial activity and sporting activity under proper regulation. So, there is no political agenda. All we want is a good regulation to govern the management of legitimate firearms,” said Chang.
He said that the issue of hunting wild animals was raised and is sufficiently covered in the legislation.