The House of Representatives is considering a motion to pass the Firearms Amendment Bill that would permit Nigerians from the age of eighteen carry arms for self-defence.
According to a report from Vanguard, the bill, if passed, will permit Nigerians from the age of eighteen to carry arms for self-defence.
The representative of the Akoko South East/Akoko southwest constituency of Ondo State, Honourable Adejoro Adeogun has already sponsored a “Firearms Amendment Bill.”
This comes amidst the shoot-to-kill order given by President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) against civilian bearing arms, following the accusations of killings and abductions of citizens by herdsmen wielding AK-47s.
Section 2 subsection 3 of the bill states that “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), a person shall be entitled to the grant of a license or permit under this Act if, at the time of application, the person: at least eighteen years of age.”
The bearer must however obtain a “psychological evaluation certificate from a government hospital, not more than six months,” the bill stated.
He/she must have “a vision quality certificate from a government hospital, not more than six months, has a police clearance certificate not more than twelve months, has a rifle club membership of at least six months and a firearms proficiency certificate issued by the club.”
It further demands that the bearer must have: “A National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).”
The bill further added that “The Inspector General of Police, shall maintain a manual and an e-register of such permits in force”.
It gives the IGP the right, with or without the consent of the Governor of the State to “grant a permit to any person to carry on the business of manufacture and repair of the firearms referred to in Part III of the Schedule to this Act”.
