House approves firearms administration, control law

Addis Ababa, January 9, 2019 (FBC) -The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) of Ethiopia today approved the revised firearm administration and control proclamation.

It was approved in majority vote, two against and with four abstentions. The proclamation was needed to maintain peace and security in the country, said the House.

The law prohibits import, export, possess, store, use, exhibit, broker, sale, buy, transfer, transport, manufacture, train, repair or dispose firearm without valid license.

It also forbids altering in whole or in part, destroying or making unrecognizable in any other way the serial number of a firearm given by the manufacturer or supervising institution.

Advertising firearm or service related with firearm is also prohibited under the law.

It also prohibits carrying firearm in places where public service is provided such as hotels, cinema, theatres, museums, sporting places, educational and religious institutions, hospitals, government offices, among others.

However, law enforcement bodies on duty or security guards hired to guard the institution may carry their licensed firearm and conduct their activity.