Chang says FLA tightening firearm and ammo storage and disposal; operational procedures

Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang says efforts remain ongoing to strengthen the operations of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), including plans to improve firearm and ammunition storage facilities and tighten operational procedures.

The comment comes following the tabling of an investigative report by the Integrity Commission into allegations of corruption and irregularities at the FLA.

The report, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, examined allegations of corruption, impropriety, and irregularities in the granting, variation, and revocation of firearm licences, as well as the storage of firearms and ammunition at the agency.

Among its findings, the commission highlighted accountability concerns regarding the storage of ammunition at the FLA’s main vault at its headquarters, along with broader governance issues.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Chang said that updates provided to him indicated there were no recommendations for criminal charges and no evidence supporting allegations that firearms had gone missing from the authority’s main vault.

He stated that representatives from the Ministry’s Law Enforcement, Border Security, Forensics, Defence and Protective Security Division were dispatched to inspect the authority’s facilities after the findings emerged.

According to Chang, ministry representatives confirmed limitations in the physical storage space available for firearms and ammunition, particularly items that had remained in storage beyond normal timeframes.

“Being sensitive to this problem, we are confident that proper procedures are in place to maintain accountability. We are, in the meanwhile, seeking a space solution to address this storage matter,” he said.

Chang said he has been advised that, despite the space constraints, the authority maintains a functioning inventory system and has been able to account for firearms and ammunition currently in its custody.

He stated that the ministry has already started work to overhaul storage facilities and introduce new disposal and destruction procedures for weapons forfeited to the state.

The upgrades will include the acquisition of a hydraulic shredder to expand the authority’s capacity to destroy firearms, said Chang.

Additionally, Chang said the Ministry can account for ammunition currently being stored by the authority.

Addressing governance concerns and allegations of improper conduct, Chang said he has directed the newly appointed board of directors, chaired by retired Justice Glenworth Brown, to pursue further process improvements while taking into account findings and recommendations from the Integrity Commission’s report.

“To be clear, the adjustments made to the board and review panel are not connected in any way to the investigation conducted by the commission or any loss of confidence in the former members or current staff at the authority,” he said.

Chang explained that changes to the board came after the previous board’s term expired and its chairman completed two terms.

The minister also pointed to reforms introduced since 2017, including the reintroduction of firearm application examinations, reviews of suspicious approvals, audits of gun ranges, improvements in vetting systems, and efforts to improve customer service.

While acknowledging that some initiatives were slowed by delays associated with the implementation of the new Firearms Act, Chang maintained that significant progress had been made.

“I have full confidence that the board will take the required steps to give effect to any recommendation from the Integrity Commission that will further strengthen the operations of the authority,” he added.

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