There are indications that the House of Representatives may soon pass a bill for the Act to permit Nigerians from eighteen years to access gun license for self-defence.
Everyevery.ng gathered that a Lawmaker representing Akoko South East and Akoko South West in the House of Representatives; Honourable Adejoro Adeogun sponsored the Bill titled Firearms Amendment Bill.
According to the Lawmaker, one of the criteria for having a gun license is that such a person must be at least 18 years and must have a government hospital’s psychological evaluation certificate.
Gun License
Other criteria include a vision quality certificate from a government hospital, a police clearance certificate, a rifle club membership and a firearms proficiency certificate issued by the club.
The Bill also mandates a National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police may grant a permit to any person to manufacture and repair the firearms, and the Bill seeks a jail sentence of at least two years for offences to the law.
Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered security operatives to shoot any civilian bearing sophisticated arms like AK-47.
You will recall that the Minister of Defense, Major Gen. Bashir Magashi had stated that it is the responsibility of every Nigerians to defend themselves from the hands of criminal elements.
According to the Minister, bandits’ operations are sometimes carried out with a few rounds of ammunition to cause fear on the citizenry.
Whether Nigerians should bear arms, Magashi said he doesn’t support that Nigeria should start issuing firearms for personal use, adding that developed countries are still debating on it.
