Monrovia, Monday March 25, 2025: The Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA), pursuant to the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 2022, and the Act creating LiNCA has begun one of its core activities, the registration of civilian firearms in the Country.
Speaking during the official launch of the civilian arms registration exercise held at LiNCA’s Headquarters in Monrovia, the Chairman of the Arms Commission of Liberia, Hon. James M. Fromayan called on Liberians to utilize the opportunity of registering their firearms in keeping with the President’s Executive Order.
Chairman Fromayan said, that the registration of firearms will cover two categories of civilian firearms, and that include the single barrel shoulder-guns primarily used for hunting, recreational activities, and traditional ceremonies is the first category, while the 1.16mm and 9x19mm pistols, are intended for individuals with special needs, and that include ministers, former government officials, prominent citizens, and business people in the second category.
Chairman Fromayan disclosed that the purpose of this exercise, is to systematically register and record civilian-owned arms and ammunition that are in the hands of some Liberians without proper documentations. He noted that the Arms Commission in consultation with the Office of the National Security Advisor Atty. Samuel Koffi Woods, pleaded with His Excellency, Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. President of the Republic of Liberia to allow the Liberia National Commission on Arms to lead the registration of civilian arms in the Country.
It was in this vein, according to the Chairman that the President, on February 24, 2025, issued “Executive Order #141” urging civilians in possession of arms to register them in order to have a data base that will indicate the names of those legally bearing firearms within the borders of Liberia.
Speaking further, Chairman Fromayan also informed the public that the Civilian Arms Registration Exercise is not limited to Montserrado County alone, as the Arms Commission intends to operationalize its activities in other parts of the country with the availability of logistics.
Emphasizing on the role of the Commission's core mandate on arms control and management, Chairman James M. Fromayan stated that the Liberia National Commission on Arms is not in the business of selling arms and ammunition and is not a part of the Commission's responsibility.
He informed the public that there are people who have expressed interest to be dealers and when they are qualified by the Commission, they will be given permit and license to import arms and ammunition to sell in the country.
LiNCA Boss, recounting the years of the civil crisis, especially the disarmament and demobilization in Liberia, noted that the process was not 100% due to the limited time, and because of this, most former combatants concealed their weapons, thus creating the problem of illicit arms in the country and posing a threat to national security.
The proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the ECOWAS sub-region, according to Chairman Fromayan made the sub-regional body to encourage member states to establish Commissions on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The Chairman said, the essence of those Commissions is to combat the illicit proliferation of weapons, and that was the reason ECOWAS led the birth of the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons which was changed in 2022 by a new Act of the Legislature creating the Liberia National Commission on Arms.
The Launching of the civilian arms registration exercise was graced by top ranking members of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Executive Protection Service (EPS) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). These national security institutions lauded the Commission for the implementation of the President’s Executive Order 141, calling for the mandatory registration of civilian Firearms. They pledged support to the registration process, noting that the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons poses a serious threat to peace, stability and national development.
On February 24, 2025, the President of the Republic Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai Sr, issued an Executive Order # 141 mandating the Commission to ensure the registration of all firearm in civilian possession for a period of twelve months.
Meanwhile, the African Media Network of Liberia, used the launching of the civilian arms registration exercise to honor the Chairman of the Arms Commission Hon. James M. Fromayan for his outstanding contributions to the social, economic and political life of the Liberian society.
