641431-1895-Bills-read-Arms-Consolidation-An-Ordinance-to-declare-the-effect-of-Ordinances-repealing-others — Page 2

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH MARCH, 1895.

A BILL

ENTITLED

An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Law relating to the carriage and possession of deadly weapons.

B'

E it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

:-

1. Thiş Ordinance may be cited for all purposes as The Arms Consolidation Ordinance, 1895.

2. Ordinance No. 17 of 1891 and section 3 of Ordi- nance No. 4 of 1892 are hereby repealed, but such repeal shall not affect the past operation of the said Ordinances or either of them or anything done or suffered thereunder, nor be taken to revive any Ordinance or enactment thereby repealed.

3. In this Ordinance, unless inconsistent with the context or subject matter, the expression “arms” shall include any description of fire arms, also any sword, cutlass, spear, pike, bayonet, dagger, fighting iron or other deadly weapon, also any part of any arms so defined, and arms or ammunition in the custody or control of any person shall be deemed to be in his "possession.”

4. The Governor may from time to time in his discretion grant to any person a licence either “to carry" arms or "to have arms in his possession" or both, subject to such con- ditions as the Governor may deem fit, and the Governor may from time to time, and at any time in his discretion revoke any such licence. Unless in any particular case the Governor shall otherwise direct, such licences shall be issued for a limited period only, shall be made out in the name of the grantee, shall bear a number and the dates of issue and expiry and shall not be transferable.

5. No person, who has not a licence from the Governor for the purpose, shall carry any arms or have any arms in his possession in this Colony: Provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any persons in the Naval or Military or Civil Services of the Crown or of any foreign power, or, to Justices of the Peace, or to Special or Common Jurors, or to District Watchmen appointed under Ordinance 13 of 1888, and provided also that this prohibition shall not apply to prevent the owner of any trading or fishing junk who has given security to the Harbour Master under section 38 sub-section (21) of Ordinance 26 of 1891 from having on board of his junk such arms as are reasonably necessary for the protection of such junk on the high seas, provided they are described and enumerated in the licence or clear- ance issued by the Harbour Master.

6. No arms shall be sold to any person (not exempted by the provisos in section 5 from the necessity of taking out a licence) unless the purchaser presents at or before the time of purchase a valid licence to

66 carry or to “possess” arms.

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7. If any arms are found on hoard of any junk or other Chinese vessel and the person in charge, or appearing or. acting as the master or as in charge of such junk or vessel, does not produce a valid authority under this Ordinance or any Ordinance hereby repealed authorizing him or some other person or persons on board of such junk or vessel to carry such arins, such person and all other persons on board of such junk or vessel shall be deemed to be persons carry- ing arms contrary to this Ordinance.

8. Every person carrying or in possession of arms con- trary to the provisions of this Ordinance shall on summary conviction thereof before a Magistrate be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any period not exceeding three months, and such arms if captured shall be forfeited to the Crown.

9. Any person carrying or having in his possession or reasonably suspected of carrying or having in his possession any arms in contravention of this Ordinance may be arrested without warrant by any Police Officer, and conveyed as soon as reasonably cau be, before a Magistrate in order to his being dealt with according to law.

10. All importers of, and dealers in arms shall be bound to register their names and places of business at the Regis- trar General's Office, and shall take out a licence, for which an annual sum of five dollars shall be charged; and all

Title.

Preamble.

Short title.

Repeal.

Interpreta- tion.

Licence to carry or овева

"arnis."

No person to carry arma without & licence. (Ibid, 8. 5.)

Exceptions.

Purchasers of arius to pre- sent their

licence.

Arms found an junks, &c. (I bici, n. 6.)

Punishment. (I bid, n. 7.)

Police may Arrest without warrant any

person carry- ing arms, or having them in his posses- sion, (Ibid, n. 8.)

Importers or dealers in arms to register themselves. (Ibid, n. 9.)

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