There is currently no legal power to temporarily suspend a firearm certificate in the island, it has emerged.
Police Chief Robin Smith made the comments in a submission to the Chair of the Parishes and Government Review Panel – which is investigating how Jersey’s parish system works with central government, including the licensing and oversight of firearms.
Mr Smith explained that, under Jersey’s Firearms Law, Constables – who lead the parishes and are responsible for granting firearm certificates – can refuse or revoke a certificate, but have no legal authority to suspend it.
“There is no power to suspend a certificate under the current legislation,” he said.
“The Connétable can request the certificate holder to ‘voluntarily surrender’ their
certificate for a period of time.
“The Connétable can also amend the terms and conditions of the certificate holder to have the firearms and ammunition placed into safekeeping.”
It comes after Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat recently confirmed that a full review of Jersey’s firearms legislation remains on hold, but that a package of short-term changes to the way arms are licensed is to be introduced.
One of the main changes is that applicants for a firearms certificate, which people must obtain before purchasing any gun or ammunition, will no longer automatically be granted permission to store ammunition at home.
Instead, they will have to make a separate request, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The full review of Jersey’s firearms law – originally proposed by previous the Home Affairs Minister in 2024 – was delayed due to legislative priorities elsewhere, particularly the development of new laws focused on addressing violence against women and girls.
Figures released last month under the Freedom of Information Law showed that more than 8,200 legal firearms are held across Jersey.