Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2022)

18.   Shooting club licence

1.  

   (1)   In accordance with section 4—

   1.  

      (a)     a person desirous of—

      1.  

         (i)     maintaining a shooting range at a place specified therein,

      1.  

         (ii)     organising sporting events involving the use of firearms at that shooting range, and

      1.  

         (iii)     providing facilities for target practice upon such range;

   1.  

      may apply to the appropriate authority for a shooting club licence; and

   1.  

      (b)     the appropriate authority may subject to subsection (2) grant the shooting club licence.

1.  

   (2)   The appropriate authority shall not grant a shooting club licence to a club unless satisfied that—

   1.  

      (a)     the rules of the club have been approved by the appropriate authority in writing;

   1.  

      (b)     the primary purpose of the shooting club is to conduct target practice and sporting events;

   1.  

      (c)     the location, construction and equipment of each shooting range, and proposed shooting range of the shooting club are appropriate having regard to the need to protect persons from death or injury and property from unlawful destruction or damage;

   1.  

      (d)     the applicant—

      1.  

         (i)     demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the obligations of an approved shooting club and the individual's proposed position under this Act,

      1.  

         (ii)     is of good repute;

   1.  

      (e)     the club will be conducted with proper regard to the preservation of the public safety or the peace.

1.  

   (3)   Any amendment to the rules of the club referred to in subsection (2)(a) shall not have effect unless approved by the appropriate authority.

1.  

   (4)   In approving the rule under subsection (2), the appropriate authority shall take into consideration the criteria for membership of the club and may in particular require the rules to make provision for—

   1.  

      (a)     the suspension or expulsion from membership of persons who are convicted of an offence under this Act;

   1.  

      (b)     any matter which the appropriate authority thinks necessary for carrying this Act into effect.

1.  

   (5)   Despite subsection (2), the Minister may by order published in the Gazette pronounce standards to be adhered to by a shooting club.

1.  

   (6)   Where the Minister sets standards under subsection (5) an applicant for a shooting club licence shall not be issued a shooting club licence unless such standard is satisfied.

1.  

   (7)   Where the Minister sets standards for a shooting club under subsection (5) any club already in existence shall comply with the standards set within 6 months.

1.  

   (8)   A club which fails to satisfy any standards laid down by the Minister under subsection (5) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $5,000 and to a fine of $200 for each day during which the offence continues.

1.  

   (9)   A shooting club licence authorises the holder to—

   1.  

      (a)     maintain a shooting range at a place specified therein;

   1.  

      (b)     organise sporting events involving the firearms at that shooting range;

   1.  

      (c)     provide facilities for target practice at the shooting range.

1.  

   (10)   A shooting club shall within 7 days after 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December in every year, submit returns to the appropriate authority showing—

   1.  

      (a)     the dates upon which functions involving the discharge of firearms were held by the shooting club whether alone or in conjunction with any other shooting club, and the names of the members of the shooting club participating in those functions; and

   1.  

      (b)     an account of the ammunition used at the functions referred to in paragraph (a).

1.  

   (11)   It shall be the duty of the shooting club to keep such records as will enable it to make the returns referred to in subsection (5).

1.  

   (12)   If any return is not furnished in accordance with subsection (5), or if the return is incomplete, misleading or inaccurate, or if any record required under that subsection to be kept is not kept, the secretary, the chairperson and members of the executive committee or governing body of the shooting club commits an offence.

1.  

   (13)   Subject to subsection (14), the appropriate authority may on the application of a shooting club, grant an exemption to the provisions of this Act to allow members of the shooting club to possess sporting firearms and ammunition upon the premises of such shooting club without holding a licence therefore for the purpose of target practice.

1.  

   (14)   For sporting purposes, the appropriate authority may upon application of a shooting club, approve the use in target practice of any firearm of 9 mm calibre and above if the appropriate authority is satisfied that—

   1.  

      (a)     there is adequate provision by the shooting club for keeping the firearm and ammunition in a secure place when not in use;

   1.  

      (b)     the ammunition shall not be removed from the shooting club nor the firearm loaded or discharged in any place other than the shooting range of the shooting club.

1.  

   (15)   A shooting club which fails to comply with the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 and to revocation of its shooting club licence. The future for a period to be determined by the appropriate authority.

1.  

   (16)   The provisions of section 4(6) shall not apply in the case of an application for a shooting club licence.

1.  

   (17)   A shooting club licence shall be in the form prescribed.