Transitional provisions

(1) Every person, other than a licensed gun-dealer, who at the commencement of the Firearms (Amendment) Act, 1987, owns, keeps or has in his possession or control any unrifled shotgun or ammunition suitable for use in such shotgun shall, if he wishes to retain such firearm or ammunition, apply to the Commissioner of Police for the grant of a gun licence within one month of such commencement. (2) Where an application for a gun licence made under sub- section (1) is refused, or where the owner or keeper of such firearm or ammunition does not wish to retain the same, the applicant or such other person, as the case may be, shall forthwith surrender such firearm or ammunition to the Commissioner of Police, or to the officer in charge of the nearest police station who shall hand the same to the Commissioner of 41 (3) Where any firearm or ammunition has been surrendered under sub-section (2), the owner may, within twelve months of such surrender, sell the firearm or ammunition to any person to whom the Commissioner of Police is willing to grant a licence, and upon the grant of such licence, such firearm or ammunition shall be handed to the purchaser. (4) Where any firearm or ammunition which has been surrendered under sub-section (2) of has not been sold or this section handed to a purchaser under sub-section (3), such firearm or ammunition may, not less than twelve months after its surrender, be disposed of in a manner as the Minister may direct. (5) Where any firearm or ammunition is disposed of on the directions of the Minister under sub-section (4), a reasonable compensation therefor, based on the market value of such firearm or ammunition, shall be paid to the owner within a reasonable time, Provided that no compensation shall be payable if such firearm or ammunition was being kept contrary to the provisions of this Act or of any other law.