Integrity Commission recommends that Security Ministry conduct audit of vaults at FLA

The Integrity Commission has recommended that the Ministry of National Security conduct a full independent audit of all the vaults at the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA).

This is to determine the full extent of missing ammunition and to ensure that all firearms on record are properly accounted for.

In an investigative report tabled in Parliament yesterday, the Commission said that the recommendation is based on the fact that only 17% of the 4,103 entries on the electronic vault management system were checked, and significant anomalies were detected, most noteworthy of which is ammunition being unaccounted for.

The Commission said that, considering the country’s current climate regarding the use of firearms to commit violent crimes, one missing round of ammunition is one too many.

Consequently, it is recommended that the referenced audit be expedited.

The Commission found that up to June 23, 2021, the FLA had 1, 224 firearms and firearm parts stored for destruction.

It further concluded that there is no evidence to support the allegation that any of the firearms and/or firearm parts stored for destruction by the FLA are unaccounted for.

In relation to ammunition, the investigation found that 191 .22 rounds of ammunition belonging to a private firearm holder were unaccounted for at the FLA’s main vault up to June 13, 2023.

The investigation’s conclusion is premised on the fact that the respective storage bag labelled as containing 519 rounds of ammunition was found to contain 219 rounds of ammunition.

A further 109 rounds of ammunition were found amongst an assortment of ammunition.

The Commission pointed out that there was no clear indication from the FLA that the 109 rounds of ammunition that were found amongst the assortment of ammunition belonged to the private firearm holder.

Notwithstanding, 191 of the total amount of 519 rounds of ammunition remains unaccounted for.

The Commission further concluded that the FLA failed to adequately maintain the inventory stored in its main vault and that there ought to be greater accountability in the storage of firearms and ammunition by the FLA.