The Senate has passed the Firearms Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2021.
The Senate also increased the fine for illegal importation and sales of firearms from N1,000 to N1 million.
The Bill was passed on Wednesday after the red chamber considered the report of its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Section 35 of the amended bill also increased the fine for anyone who fails to surrender illegal firearms to the relevant authorities during a proclamation for such to N3 million or three year’s imprisonment.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the bill became essential due to the proliferation of firearms and other security challenges facing the country.
He also said the N1,000 fine contained in the extant Act was not punitive enough to deter illegal importation and sales of firearms in Nigeria.
Bamidele said, “Clause 39 of the bill, which deals with power to seize and destroy confiscated and illegal firearms, was amended to provide for inclusion of other law enforcement agencies besides the police and the military.
“This is necessary because the power to confiscate or seize illegal firearms should be all-inclusive and not limited to a particular arm of force or law enforcement agency.”
