Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA)
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON OPERATIONALIZING THE REGISTRATION OF CIVILIAN ARMS IN FULFILLMENT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER #141
Delivered at the MICAT Weekly Briefing
By: Hon. James M. Fromayan Chairman, Liberia National Commission on Arms
May 15, 2025
Honorable Minister, Officials of the Ministry of Information, Distinguished Members of the Fourth Estate, Fellow Liberians at Home and Abroad:
It is both an honor and a duty that I stand before you today to provide critical updates on the activities of the Liberia National Commission on Arms, particularly in relation to the implementation of Executive Order #141, issued by His Excellency, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, on February 24, 2025, mandating the registration of all civilian-owned firearms across the Republic.
Let me begin by extending sincere gratitude to President Boakai for the confidence reposed in us to steer this vital national institution.
I also thank the Honorable Minister of Information and the MICAT team for the opportunity to appear on this national platform to address the Liberian people on a matter of paramount importance to our national security.
Background and Legislative
Framework
As many of you are aware, the Liberia National Commission on Arms—formerly known as the Small Arms Commission—was established in 2012 in alignment with Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
This Convention aims to curb the growing threat posed by the uncontrolled proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALWs) across the subregion.
At that time, an alarming rise in violence fueled by the wave of armed conflicts in the Mano River Union (MRU) basin and other parts of the ECOWAS region, posed a serious threat to regional peace and security.
Liberia, still reeling from the devastating effects of a 14-year civil conflict?largely fueled by the availability of illicit small arms and light weapons?was particularly vulnerable.
That dark chapter in our history remains a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked access to firearms.
With strong backing from ECOWAS, the United Nations, and other regional and international partners, the Government of Liberia acted decisively to prevent a recurrence of such conflict by establishing mechanisms for arms control.
Our commitment to international norms was demonstrated through the signing and ratification of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
Going beyond symbolic endorsements, Liberia has successfully domesticated these instruments, integrating their principles into our legal frameworks—most notably through the Arms Commission Act and the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act, originally enacted in 2015 and comprehensively amended in 2022.
These legal frameworks empower the Commission to regulate the full life cycle of weapons and ammunition—covering importation, manufacturing, trading, possession, usage, and the destruction of obsolete and excess firearms in collaboration with state security institutions.
Achievements in Managing State-Owned Arms
I am pleased to report that the Arms Commission, in collaboration with state security agencies, has made measurable progress in the management of state-owned firearms.
Key achievements include:
Marking and digital recording of state-owned weapons for easy tracing; Routine assessments and inspections of state armories for compliance with stockpile management protocols; Specialized training programs for armory managers and technical security personnel. Retrieval of seized and obsolete weapons from around the country.
These initiatives are in line with international best practices for physical security and accountability of state-held arms.
The Challenge of Civilian Firearms and the Significance of Executive Order #141
Despite these accomplishments, the unregulated proliferation of civilian-held firearms remains a critical challenge.
Alarmingly, many of these firearms are acquired through illegal means, and the country lacks an accurate record of how many such weapons are currently in circulation.
Against the backdrop of rising security concerns and public demand for self-defense, Executive Order #141 is both timely and strategic.
It provides: An amnesty period that conforms to the life span of the Executive Order for civilians who currently own firearms illegally, offering them a chance to register and legalize those arms through the appropriate procedures;
A clear legal pathway to responsible gun ownership, ensuring that firearms in civilian hands are properly documented, tracked, and regulated.
Let me stress: this amnesty window expires in February 2026. After this deadline, anyone found in possession of an unregistered firearm will be subject to the full force of the law—including a felony charge of the first degree, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.