New firearms legislation voted

The Firearms (Amendment) Bill, which provides for amendments to the Firearms Act to implement the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty to which Mauritius is a signatory, was presented by the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, in the National Assembly on Tuesday 26 April 2016. The Bill was voted with amendments. Sir Anerood Jugnauth expressed confidence that the accession of Mauritius to the Arms Trade Treaty and the amendments to the Firearms Act will have a positive impact on the country as a whole. This, he said will not only help to increase the country’s visibility as a safe haven for doing business and for tourism, but will also give the police an important tool to have a better control on the movement of arms within the country and those which are in transit. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of the domestication of the Treaty through this Bill which, he said will also enhance the national control system on the export, import and transit activities related to conventional arms. Furthermore the country’s legal framework to combat terrorism and piracy will be strengthened, making our extended territorial water and EEZ safer areas at a time when Mauritius is developing its ocean economy and is aspiring to become a petroleum hub in the Indian Ocean region.