VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said he is open to introducing stricter vetting procedures for firearm owners following the shooting of two police officers in St Julian’s, insisting that “the time of cowboys is over.”
Speaking at a seminar marking 20 years since the Arms Act and Arms Licensing Regulations came into force, Bedingfield said Friday’s incident highlighted the need to focus on the suitability of gun owners rather than the type of firearm.
He said the shooting, which left Sgt Johan Vella critically injured and PC Omar Sharif with minor injuries, had exposed weaknesses in the current vetting process.
Bedingfield said he would discuss proposals submitted by the Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters (AMACS) aimed at strengthening background checks for firearm applicants.
Describing the shooting as “unacceptable”, the minister said no one should feel superior because they own a gun, stressing that firearm ownership carries serious responsibilities and requires maturity, discipline and continuous training.
– Malta Department of Information –
(ITALPRESS).
