Licensed gun holders question FLA’s rate hike, renewal policy
Effective October 1, 2024, the FLA advises that there will be an increase in license fees, pursuant to the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act. Applicants for a new firearm license are now pay $30,000, a whopping 250% increase on the previous charge of $12,000, while renewing a firearm license will now be $20,000, a 166% jump from $12,000. Late renewals now cost $25,000, up from the previous $15,000 or over 160 percent.
The increases have sparked widespread frustration among prospective and current firearm holders, who argue that the added costs are too much at once.
Chief Executive Officer of the FLA, Shane Dalling, told Old Harbour News: “The increase in the rate is occasioned from the fact that the last time the FLA increase rate was in 2014. Since then, all operating cost has gone up. It is the licence fees that keeps the FLA operational and all our costs have increased. The security cost has increased by 453% and staff cost has increased over 300% over the same period. For the last three months, the tax payers were paying to keep the FLA doors open.”
While Dalling argues that the fee increase is justifiable given the 10-year gap between the last increase in fees, many believe that the significant hike implemented is excessive. They contend that instead of waiting for a decade, a series of smaller increases over the years would have provided a more manageable approach for firearm owners.
Additionally, the current in-person renewal policy remains an issue in the eyes of the public as it is viewed as unreasonable and time-consuming in a world where technology enables online payments from anywhere. Licensed firearm holders temporarily residing abroad are required to travel to Jamaica each year to renew their licenses and are charged a late fee if they fail to do so on time.
“We got the online payment comment from persons and we are currently looking at the infrastructure, not only to do online payment but to also do online application…it takes cash to invest in these technology,” said Dalling.
Despite Dalling's recent explanation of the increase and the regulations on the Radio Jamaica programme 'JCF Now', many individuals remain adamant about the inconvenience these implementations are causing them.
Two licensed firearm holders were interviewed by Old Harbour News on condition of anonymity to avoid any backlash from the FLA. One of the interviewees is a Jamaican licensed firearm holder working in the United States of America and expressed his frustration concerning the renewal regulations.
“I have to be coming to Jamaica every birthday to renew my firearms license and I don’t understand why I can’t just pay for it online like everything else. Imagine travelling even if you don’t want to, just to pay one fee that could have been avoided. The gun is in their care so I don’t see why I have to go there in person. This is very straining for me and I am going to give up the gun if this in-person thing don’t fix by the time I return to Jamaica early next year because mi can’t bother anymore,” said the firearm holder.
The other interviewee is a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) who has two licensed firearms and is contemplating returning one of them to the FLA because of the sharp increase.
“FLA no see how time hard, I can barely find the $24,000 for my two guns much less $40,000. Plus I pay for my wife’s gun each year so that’s $60,000 mi afi go think bout. That’s too much one time and I have so many other bills paying. If them did raise it from $12,000 to $15,000, then I would understand and keep both guns but I will carry in one of mine and my wife willing to carry in hers because whole a $8,000 gone on for each gun,” argued the police officer. “They will lose a lot customers because a lot of my friends giving up theirs. FLA must do better man, they are looking on their side only!”
While Dalling explains the fee hike and current renewal procedures, firearm holders believe that these policies, particularly for those residing abroad, create unnecessary burdens. As frustration continues to grow, there are increasing calls for the FLA to revisit their policies, ensuring that they better align with customer convenience and evolving technological solutions.
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