Island firearms law
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WQ.352/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY H.L. JEUNE OF ST. JOHN, ST. LAWRENCE AND TRINITY QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2025
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2025
Question
"Further to the Children, Education, and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel meeting on 2nd July 2025, where she explained plans to review the Firearms (Jersey) Law 2000, will the Minister provide an update on the implementation and actions relating to this review, including –
- an explanation of the package of short-term measures proposed;
- when they were actioned, what the response has been to these changes from the public, and when the full-scale review will take place; and
- what, if any, consultation has been undertaken with relevant stakeholders, including advice from H.M. Attorney General, regarding a firearms amnesty?"
Answer
It has previously been confirmed that, due to other priorities it would not be possible to progress with a full review of firearms legislation during this term of office. This Minister therefore cannot provide a commitment as to when a full-scale review will take place. It will be for the next Minister to determine their priorities upon appointment.
In this context, the Minister attended upon the Comite des Connétable s on 16 September 2024 to discuss what concerns the Connétable s, as the issuing authority for firearms certificates, had with regard to the present regime and whether there was any scope for making limited changes to ameliorate those.
It was further agreed that the States of Jersey Police would work with a small group of Constables to seek agreement on measures which could be implemented to make improvements focussed on reducing risk in lieu of a full review. The Minster is grateful to the Connétable s for their engagement on this.
There are a number of measures which include:
- Continuing to apply the policy that a person must have good reason to possess each firearm and to acquire additional firearms, i.e. "Wish Lists" are not granted.
- All licences to be issued without ammunition, the applicant to apply for the addition of ammunition which will only be permitted if there is "Good Reason" to possess, i.e. an applicant will not automatically be granted up to 5,000 rounds.
- Requirement for applicants to evidence membership of an approved shotting club, only those who are members and regular attendees will have good reason to possess ammunition.
- Review and improve the medical referee process.
- Consider requiring referees to be the holder of a Firearm Certificate.
It should be noted that, aside from an increase to fees and amendments to the application form to gather relevant information in respect of ammunition, these measures are policy decisions that can be implemented by the issuing authorities, i.e the Connétable s, and in some cases already are.
The Comite des Connétable s produce guidelines for how applications for firearms certificates are to be dealt with, and it is understood that an updated version has been recently signed off.
The Minister will be meeting with members of the firearms community at their request to discuss certain changes before implementation, and it is important to note that these are relatively limited changes which should not unduly inconvenience legitimate shooters.
The Minister understands that the Comite des Connétable s has consulted HM Attorney General in relation to an amnesty. This has also been raised with the Chief of Police, and it is understood that both support the idea in principle.