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Montserrat — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Montserrat, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence1

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Montserrat, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 2

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Montserrat is reported to be US$139,5113 (2002)

Import Control

In Montserrat, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 1

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Montserrat is reported to be US$10,5023 (2009)

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Montserrat do not include4 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Montserrat is categorised as restrictive5

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Montserrat is the Firearms Act6

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Montserrat are regulated by the Commissioner of Police7

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Montserrat, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law1

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Montserrat, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic weapons, air guns, any firearm with a barrel length less than 24 inches, and home-made weapons8

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Montserrat, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited8

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Montserrat, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited8

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Regulation of Handguns

In Montserrat, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited8

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Montserrat, only licensed gun owners1 9 10 7 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Montserrat are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, membership of a licensed rifle club9 7

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Montserrat is 17 years for purchase, and 14 years for possession11

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Montserrat must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental health and substance abuse7 12 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Montserrat, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required4

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Montserrat does not stipulate4 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Montserrat, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required4 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Montserrat gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year9

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Montserrat are permitted to possess any number of firearms4

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Montserrat is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition4

Firearm Registration

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Montserrat, licensed firearm dealers are required13 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Montserrat, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited1 2

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Montserrat, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful1 13 2

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Montserrat, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined4

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Montserrat include14 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in Montserrat include13 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Montserrat, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited15

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Montserrat, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited15

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Montserrat, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 5 to 7 years prison16

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Montserrat, it is state policy17 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Montserrat is not a Member State of the United Nations

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list18 Montserrat as a Participating State
Last Updated on 30 January 2012

Short References

1.

Montserrat.2000.‘Requirement for Licence.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3637)Full Citation

2.

Montserrat.2000.‘Sales of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3642)Full Citation

3.

Marsh, Nicholas.2011.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 June. (Q16)Full Citation

4.

Montserrat.2000.‘Firearms Act.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q4349)Full Citation

5.

Newton, George D and Franklin E Zimring.1969.‘Firearm Licensing: Permissive v Restrictive.’ Firearms & Violence in American Life: A Staff Report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.Washington, DC:US Government Printing Office,1 January. (Q22)Full Citation

6.

Montserrat.2000.‘Firearms Act.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3634)Full Citation

7.

Montserrat.2000.‘Licences.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3641)Full Citation

8.

Montserrat.2000.‘Prohibited Weapons and Ammunition.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3636)Full Citation

9.

Montserrat.2000.‘Firearm Licence.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3638)Full Citation

10.

Montserrat.2000.‘Ammunition Licence.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3639)Full Citation

11.

Montserrat.2000.‘Acquisition and Possession of Firearm by Minor.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3646)Full Citation

12.

Montserrat.2000.‘Possession of Firearms by Persons Previously Convicted of Crime.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3644)Full Citation

13.

Montserrat.2000.‘Firearm Dealers.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3640)Full Citation

14.

Montserrat.2000.‘Storage of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3645)Full Citation

15.

Montserrat.2000.‘Carrying Firearm in a Public Place.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3643)Full Citation

16.

Montserrat.2000.‘Punishment for Other Offences.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3647)Full Citation

17.

Montserrat.2000.‘Powers of Commissioner to Store Firearms.’ Laws of Montserrat, Chapter 10.02, Firearms Act and Subsidiary Legislation, Revised Edition showing the law as at 1 January 2008.Plymouth:Law Revision Commissioner,15 November. (Q3648)Full Citation

18.

Wassenaar Arrangement.1996.‘Introduction: Participating States.’ Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.Vienna:Wassenaar Secretariat,12 July. (Q19)Full Citation