Section 6: Competency Certificate

6. Competency Certificate (1) (a) An application for a Competency Certificate shall be made to the Commissioner in such form as may be prescribed. continued on page F14 – 5 F14 – 4 (1) [Issue 6] Revised Laws of Mauritius (b) No application under paragraph (a) shall be entertained by the Commissioner unless he is satisfied that— (i) the Competency Certificate is required for the purposes of an application for a firearm licence or a game licence, or its renewal, or an employee permit, or an application for registration as dealer in firearms or gunsmith, under this Act; (ii) the applicant, in the case of a firearm licence, also meets the criteria specified in section 8 (1) (a) and (b). (2) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the Commissioner may issue a Competency Certificate to an applicant who— (a) has successfully completed the prescribed training course and passed the tests conducted by the Commissioner regarding the safe and efficient handling of a firearm of the type in respect of which a firearm licence, or registration, as the case may be, is sought by the applicant; (b) is 18 years of age or more; (c) is a citizen of Mauritius; (d) is a fit and proper person to possess a firearm, to trade in firearms or to conduct business as a gunsmith, as the case may be; (e) is physically fit, of stable mental condition and is not inclined to violence; (f) is not dependent on any substance which has an intoxicating or narcotic effect; (g) has not been convicted of any offence under this Act; or (h) has not been convicted, whether in or outside Mauritius, of— (i) an offence involving the use, or a threat to use, or the handling of, a firearm or ammunition; (ii) an offence under the Protection from the Domestic Violence Act; (iii) an offence involving dangerous drugs. (3) A Competency Certificate shall specify whether it relates to— (a) possession of a firearm; (b) dealing in firearms; or (c) conducting business as a gunsmith. (4) A Competency Certificate shall be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issue of the certificate. (5) Subject to subsection (6), subsection (2) (a) and (b) shall not apply to a corporate body. (6) Before the Commissioner issues a Competency Certificate to a corporate body, he shall satisfy himself that any person designated by the corporate body as the person who would be in charge of any firearm satisfies the requirements of subsection (2). F14 – 5 [Issue 1] Firearms Act