Fi We Children urges child-centred approach to proposed Firearms law amendments

WHILE welcoming indications that the 2022 Firearms Act will be amended so that adults who groom children to use, store, transport, or acquire illegal guns will face a new criminal offence, advocacy outfit Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) is discouraging a further proposed change which will see individuals convicted of illegal possession of a firearm facing a new minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment instead of the current 15 years minimum mandatory.

In a release issued to the media on Sunday, moments after the Ministry of National Security announced the changes which were proposed by the National Security Council in a statement, the foundation said while it welcomed the recognition that further consideration must be given to cases involving children found in possession of illegal firearms, it was cautioning that any amendments to the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022 “must distinguish between children exploited by criminal networks and adults who deliberately recruit, coerce, or manipulate them into gun-related activities”.

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The national security minister had indicated that the NSC has also agreed that further consideration should be given to how cases involving children found with illegal firearms are handled.