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{
    "id": 1062369,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1062369/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 19,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No. 225(1) (b), I wish to report to the House that I have received a Petition from Dr. Machanga Mareko, National ID No. 6485106, seeking an amendment to the Firearms Act, Cap 114 of the Laws of Kenya to provide for mandatory mental examination as a precondition for acquiring a firearm license among other proposals. The Petitioner, a psychiatrist by profession and a firearms examiner at Kenyatta National Hospital, has highlighted several inadequacies in the firearms Act. In particular, he argues that lack of provisions requiring all applicants for firearms licenses to undergo mandatory mental examination as a precondition for issuance of firearms certificate might be a precursor to some of the incidences of misuse of firearms by some license holders. The Petitioner further contends that the Act does not clearly define what constitutes the legal use of a firearm. Consequently, he decries the fact that the lacuna exposes licensed firearm holders to criminal liability and/or murder charges in the event that he/she occasions injury or death even when the firearm is used for defence against a dangerous aggressor or on a humanitarian rescue mission. Hon. Members, the Petitioner is, therefore, praying that this House considers amending the Firearms Act to prescribe, among other things, that the use of a licensed firearm should not necessarily occasion a charge of murder or necessarily attract criminal prosecution of the licensed firearm holder. It should protect firearm holders from adverse criminal record that may deny such legal firearm licensees certain privileges and services as well as provide for mandatory mental examination for all applicants of firearm licences as a pre-condition for acquiring the licence. Hon. Members, having determined that the matters raised by the petitioners are well within the authority of this House, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.227, this Petition is committed to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. The Committee is required to consider the Petition and report its findings to the House and the Petitioners in accordance with Standing Order No.227 (2). Thank you. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}