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"This will preclude a person who is ineligible to hold a licence for possession, or whose licence has been revoked, from possessing or handling a licensee's firearms in the capacity of the licensee's agent or servant," he explained.
To address the possible threat to public safety when a large number of firearms or ammunition are carried in public places or stored at the licensees' premises, the Bill proposes to give the Commissioner of Police the power to restrict the number of firearms and amount of ammunition to be possessed by a licensee.
As the misuse of low-powered air guns could also be dangerous, the Bill seeks to amend the Summary Offences Ordinance to make it an offence to discharge any low-powered air gun in a public place to the danger or annoyance of any person.
The spokesman said that shooting clubs and other licensees affected by the proposed changes would be given sufficient time to prepare for transition to the new licensing regime as the preparatory work for implementing the proposals would take about one year to complete.
"The authorities will further liaise with the clubs to ensure that the new licensing conditions are reasonable and practicable," he added.
The Bill is expected to be introduced into the Legislative Council on April 3 this year.
End
Government attaches importance to special education: FS
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, said today (Friday) that the Government attached great importance to special education.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Caritas Jockey Club Lok Yan School, Mr Tsang said the Board of Education had set up a sub-committee on special education in late 1994 to review the existing level of service and the resources for special education.
The sub-committee would submit a report to the Board of Education next month and then to the Government for consideration, he said.