THE THREE FEDERATIONS’ MEETING WITH THE POLICE 14-01-2025

The Federation of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters Malta (FACTS), the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK), and the Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) met with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Angelo Gafà, and senior officials from the Malta Police Force to address changes to firearms licensing requirements.

Discussions focused on the Firearms Health Certification Form (FHCF), introduced as part of recent updates to the licensing process. The federations voiced their members’ concerns, particularly about the annual FHCF requirement, proposing a longer cycle interval in line with the EU Firearms directive and local legislation. A survey conducted by the FKNK, with the support of FACE European members, was presented during the meeting to highlight these concerns and provide comparative data from other EU countries. This survey underscored how other member states are addressing renewals across the EU. The Commissioner acknowledged the proposal and stated that he would discuss it further and provide feedback. However, he confirmed that the annual requirement will remain in place for 2025. Additionally, the federations highlighted issues with the FHCF’s two-month validity, leading to an agreement to extend this period to six months for new applicants.

Improvements to the wording of the FHCF were agreed upon to enhance clarity. While the previous version remains valid, the updated FHCF form is now available on the Malta Police Force website.

The Commissioner expressed regret over the lack of prior consultation with stakeholders and assured that future dialogue will be prioritised. Plans for further digitisation and IT upgrades to streamline the licensing process were also outlined. The federations commend the Malta Police Force for its engagement and remain committed to collaborating on effective and practical firearms regulations.