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"content": "because he is actually capturing the mood of the nation; that is, we do not have security. For that much, I must applaud you. Madam Temporary Speaker, however, because Sen. Muthama has amended the Motion, I would like to support the amendment because it is attempting to bring it closer to the Firearms Act. Whenever we make an amendment on a Motion intended to give birth to a Bill, to amend an Act of Parliament, there must be something that we are trying to cure. So, in this Motion, which hopefully, will one day give way to a Bill to amend this Act, you must go out of your way to persuade us what it is that we are trying to cure. Madam Temporary Speaker, you have pointed out the issue of loss of lives and property, investors relocating to other countries and regions, which is true. You have also cited the presence of criminals and terrorists in their numbers. That is true, but you have not persuaded us why, in your Motion, you have brought in the issue of the age of 30 years. What is it that 30 years will change? Nothing! Therefore, Sen. Muthama’s amendment brings us slightly closer and I support it. Madam Temporary Speaker, as I support Sen. Muthama, we should be asking ourselves: Are we trying to re-invent the wheel or are there other experiences in other countries? Go to the USA. Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo has ably referred to the liberal laws that we have in Alabama and Mississippi and stopped to tell us that in spite of those liberal laws, it is in those places where President Obama is having a serious headache. He wants the gun law in the USA to be amended, because people are abusing it. Madam Temporary Speaker, our Act is better because, with all due respect to the Mover of the Motion, if you look at Section 5(2), it is very clear. It does not prevent a youth of 30 years from asking for a gun. It says partly:- “The firearm certificate shall be granted by the licensing officer if he is satisfied that the applicant has a good reason for purchasing, acquiring or having in his possession the firearm or ammunition in respect of which the application is made, and can be permitted to have in his possession that firearm or ammunition without danger to the public safety or to the peace:” Nowhere do they discriminate against people who are 30 years old. Unless we qualify 30 years, the way Sen. Muthama has done, the Motion then become superfluous. I beg you to see my point of view. Madam Temporary Speaker, Section 5 (2) of the Firearms Act goes further to say:- “Provided that a firearm certificate shall not be granted to a person whom the licensing officer has reason to believe to be prohibited by or under this Act from possessing a firearm, or to be of intemperate habits or unsound mind, or to be for any reason unfitted to be entrusted with such a firearm, or who has not satisfied a licensing officer that he will at all times keep the firearm securely and in safe custody and in a safe condition and take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the firearm is not lost or stolen and is not at any time available to any person not lawfully entitled to possess it.” Madam Temporary Speaker, are you telling us that anybody who is above 30 years, because this Senate has directed the chief licensing officer or his representative, should be given a firearms licence when he is of unsound mind? There are youth who walk around with Maasai swords and I have a lot of respect for Morans because I have a The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}