Latest news with #FirearmsAct
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Aklavik RCMP dismantle illegal shooting range
Aklavik RCMP say they've shut down an unauthorized firing range, but are open to assisting in the creation of a legitimate one. Police say they were made aware of the illegal site, set up just off Bickish Avenue, on July 26. 'The creation of a range requires the approval of the chief firearms officer (CFO), and, in this case, it was confirmed that there had been no approval given,' said NT RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Josh Seaward. 'As a shooting range of this nature would not be legitimate, the possession or use of firearms in that location could be an offence under the Firearms Act or Criminal Code. The RCMP partnered with the Hamlet of Aklavik to ensure the range would be dismantled and to provide education on the process to request the creation of a range. 'No charges are being laid in this matter.' Under the Firearms Act, shooting ranges must be approved by the CFO to ensure they fall within regulations. To do so requires a permit that includes basic information, such as the person managing the range, the hours the range is in operation and its location and access points. Applications must include a survey of the surrounding locations, and the range must be designed so that projectiles discharged from firearms do not wind up in surrounding areas. If more than one person is using the range at a time, one person must act as the range officer to ensure the site is used safely. Ranges must have proper signage showing the purpose of the area and what firearms are permitted for use. Prohibited and restricted firearms are only permitted for members of recognized shooting clubs. The operator of the range is required to keep records of all prohibited and/or restricted firearms users for six years and must be able to produce records as requested by the CFO. Records of employees who handle firearms are also required. Ranges must obtain $2 million in liability insurance and submit paperwork to the CFO every five years showing the insurance is active. 'Failure to abide by these requirements can not only cause legal issues but also create obvious safety concerns,' Seaward stated. Applications to establish a firing range in this case will also require approval of the Hamlet of Aklavik. Those who need further information can visit for a complete list of rules and regulations. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Couple charged with running brothel in Cork remanded on bail
A man and a woman appeared in court on Wednesday on charges related to their alleged part in brothel-keeping at Watercourse Road in Cork in 2021. Sergeant John Kelleher said at Cork District Court the Director of Public Prosecutions had given directions in the case that it should be dealt with by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The DPP also consented to a plea of guilty being entered at the district court for sentencing at the circuit court. 39-year-old Tiberius Bot, of Ross Park, Killavullen, Co Cork, is charged with brothel-keeping contrary to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. The single charge against him states that on November 11, 2021, at 1 Bleasby Street Mews, Bleasby Street, Watercourse Road, Cork, he did keep or manage or act or assist in the management of a brothel. 40-year-old Alina Maria Straton, also of Ross Park, Killavullen, faces the same charge. In addition, she faces another charge related to the following day, November 12, 2021, at her home in Kilavullen of having a cannister of pepper spray in her possession, contrary to the Firearms Act. Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, represented both accused and applied for a precis of the evidence and a memo of their interviews with gardaí. Mr Collins-Daly said consideration would be given to whether they would be pleading guilty or not guilty. Free legal aid was granted for the representation of both accused after Judge Dorgan was told they were dependent on social welfare payments. Judge Dorgan remanded both of them on bail until October 1 at Cork District Court.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Foreign national remanded 7 days for fatal Johor Bahru restaurant shooting
JOHOR BAHRU: A 65-year-old foreign national has been remanded for seven days in connection with the fatal shooting of a man at a restaurant in Taman Setia Indah on January 8. The suspect was arrested yesterday at around 4.30 pm in the Johor Bahru city centre, according to Johor Bahru Selatan police chief ACP Raub Selamat. When asked about the status of nine suspects previously remanded in March for the same case, Raub confirmed they have all been released. Earlier reports indicated that the nine men, aged between 36 and 66, were suspected of being linked to a secret society. Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar stated that another suspect, aged 64 and believed to be involved in the killing, was shot dead by police during a raid. Authorities seized two pistols, ammunition, drugs, and an air pistol in the operation. The case is being investigated under multiple laws, including Section 302 of the Penal Code, Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Section 8 of the Firearms Act, and Sections 8(a) and 36 of the Arms Act 1960. Preliminary findings suggest the shooting was tied to secret society activities and revenge.
West Australian
15-07-2025
- West Australian
Kojonup sheep farmer ‘gobsmacked' by revoked gun licence ruling by State Administrative Tribunal
A Kojonup farmer and truck driver has been left 'gobsmacked' after the State Administrative Tribunal upheld an order by the WA Police Commissioner to revoke his firearms licence following an assault conviction. Simon Matthews was fined and convicted of common assault in the Katanning Magistrates Court in 2024 for his involvement in a brawl at Lake Towerinning. As a result of the conviction, the WA Police Commissioner revoked the 41-year-old's firearm licence under the Firearms Act, citing the conviction as a basis for deeming Mr Matthews no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Mr Matthews surrendered his four firearms to police last year and said he had been struggling with his day-to-day duties as a farmer and stock driver since. 'I can't fulfil my duty of care with my livestock — that's the biggest impact — and controlling vermin and all the rest of it,' he said. In his evidence to the SAT, Mr Matthews claimed he was never provided the summons notice for the assault. He said it was instead delivered to his partner's workplace, meaning he consequently missed the court hearing. He was convicted under section 55 of the Criminal Procedure Act and fined $800. Mr Matthews said if he received the summons he would have appeared at court and fought the charge. The brawl at Lake Towerinning occurred on Australia Day, 2023, after Mr Matthews was involved in an altercation with a woman and her partner after developing the belief their family member had taken alcohol from his car. Mr Matthews farms primarily sheep, as well as goats, cows, and pigs, on his 400ha family farm Silver City in Kojonup, and transports livestock. Mr Matthews said the revocation of his licence meant he could not adequately put livestock down when needed, and instead had to find another person or vet with a licence. 'Trying to destroy livestock; well hitting them on the head with a hammer — that's olden day stuff, it's not right,' he said. 'When you've got your own tools you can go and do your job straight away, but if you don't have the right tools to do the job with, it can affect you because you've got to go and find someone with a gun. 'Sometimes you can't just cut a sheep's throat, you've got to get it done professionally, and the vets aren't always open.' He said he appealed the Commissioner's decision to the SAT in the hopes he would get his licence back, and would appeal the SAT's decision in a further bid to regain his firearms licence. SAT member Nova Oldfield upheld the Commissioner's decision that Mr Matthews was not a 'fit and proper' person to hold a firearms licence on the basis of the violence of the assault and the 'relatively short time' since the assault had occurred. Ms Oldfield additionally found that Mr Matthews considered himself a victim and remained 'resentful if not angry', showing no remorse or insight into his behaviour. Mr Matthews said his farming duties had been 'impacted severely' by the loss of his guns. 'We've got more work on fixing fences from kangaroos, and that's another cost,' he said.
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Senior garda used official channel to import gun parts for private club
A senior garda arranged for the importation of firearm parts in an official capacity — but, in fact, he did so on behalf of a private club, the Irish Examiner has learned. The operation to import the parts involved obtaining authorisation from the justice minister of the day on the basis that it was for garda business. The cost of the parts and their insertion into firearms was borne by An Garda Síochána. Importation occurred in 2018 After the firearms were fully repaired, they were brought back to the gun club, located in the east of the country. The senior garda involved does not have any official standing within the gun club. According to an internal garda report, he claimed he was conducting official business by sourcing the firearm parts for training purposes. However, the report determined no weapon of the make and design of the ones at issue are used by An Garda Síochána. Protected disclosure The affair occurred in 2018 and only came to light after a junior garda revealed it as part of a protected disclosure. It was then investigated by a chief superintendent and the main thrust of what the junior garda alleged was found to be factually based. Importing the firearms parts required authorisation from the then justice minister. Importation of such parts is strictly controlled and individual authorisation is always required. The justice minister of the day and officials in the department would take any such request from An Garda Síochána on trust, as they would be highly unlikely to be familiar with the details of the firearm parts being requested. The senior officer became aware the gun club had a problem with a number of firearms. Initial attempts to have them repaired with a firearm dealer were unsuccessful, and the dealer informed the club that the parts were not available in the country. Firearms in boot of garda's private car The internal investigation heard in evidence that the senior garda arrived at Garda HQ from the private gun club with the firearms in the boot of his private car. The investigation found such transport of guns could be permitted under the 1925 Firearms Act if it was for training, as the officer alleged. The investigation also found a notable conflict in the evidence given by the civilians from the gun club and the firearms dealer on one side, and at least two of the gardaí interviewed. There was no recommendation for disciplinary action or to investigate a possible criminal offence in the internal report. Minister learned of issue three months after report The report was completed and circulated within An Garda Síochána in November 2024. In February this year, in response to a parliamentary question from Labour TD Alan Kelly, the minister for justice said he had not been informed about this case under legislation that obliges the commissioner to make contact with the minister on a matter of serious importance. Mr Kelly told the Irish Examiner he is astounded that this matter has not been fully investigated. 'How was this allowed to happen and how has no one been held to account for potential criminal matters?' he said. 'This is an extremely serious matter that the current minister for justice needs to deal with immediately.' The garda press office was contacted for comment. Read More Mick Clifford: This new episode will further shake public trust in An Garda Síochána
