Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires“ammunition” means the complete round or its components, including cartridge cases, primers, propellant powder, bullets or projectiles, that are used in a firearm; “antique firearm” means a firearm that has been in the possession of any person for more than twenty years or that is more than twenty years old; “authorized carrier” means a person who has been issued with an authorization under section 3B to transport and deliver a firearm or ammunition to an individual who holds a valid licence for the firearm or ammunition or to a gun dealer; “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Police; “company” includes a firm, a statutory body, and any body of persons, corporate or unincorporate; “firearm” means any portable barrelled weapon that expels, is designed to expel or may be readily converted to expel a shot, bullet or projectile by the action of an explosive, excluding antique firearms and home-made firearms or their replicas; “foreign company” means a company– (a) one-half or more of whose directors or shareholders are not citizens of Belize; 8 (b) one-half or more of the issued share capital of which is held by or for and on behalf of a person who is not a citizen of Belize; or (c) which is otherwise under the control of a person who is not a citizen of Belize; “firearm safety instructor” means any person who is licenced by the Commissioner of Police to conduct a certified firearm safety training course; “gun-dealer” means every person who deals in, sells, or makes “gun repair licence” means a licence under this Act issued to a person who repairs, alters or tests firearms; “heirloom firearm” means a firearm, other than a prohibited firearm, ownership of which has passed to a person by inheritance; “licensed gun-dealer” means a person holding a gun-dealer’s licence under this Act; “local company” means a company which is incorporated or formed in Belize and is not a foreign company; “possession” in relation to a firearm or ammunition is to be construed in accordance with section 6; Schedule III. “prohibited firearm” means a firearm referred to in section 35 and described in Schedule III; “shooting club” means a non-profit organisation whose activities includes target practice or target shooting competition among members using licenced firearms; “shooting range” means a place that is designated or intended for the safe discharge, on a regular and structured basis of 9 firearms for the purposes of target practice or target shooting competitions. (2) In interpreting this Act, any firearm or kind of ammunition not coming clearly within the exception shall be deemed to be included in the definition. Prohibition against Keeping Firearms without Licence