Firearm Possession In Belize: Understanding The Legal Landscape

Gun ownership in Belize is legal, but the country has strict gun laws. The right to bear arms is not guaranteed by law, and gun ownership is a privilege, not a right. Only permanent residents or citizens of Belize can own a gun, and only after a background check. The Firearms and Ammunition Control Board is the only entity authorised to issue a gun permit, and it conducts a thorough background check with a waiting period of up to six months. The maximum calibre allowed is 9mm, and only 100 rounds are permitted at any one time.

The types of gun licenses available in Belize

Gun ownership in Belize is restrictive and difficult to navigate, with a quagmire of laws in place aimed at restricting gun ownership. Permanent residents or citizens of Belize can obtain a gun license, but a thorough background check is conducted, and the waiting period can be as long as six months.

The Firearms and Ammunition Control Board is the only entity authorised to issue a gun permit in Belize. The types of gun licenses available include:

• Special Protection License
• Gun Repair License
• Sport Hunter License
• Farmer Gun License
• Shooting Range License
• Shooting Club License
• Firearm Safety Instructor License
• Heirloom Firearm License
• Company Gun License

The Farmer Gun License is the cheapest option, at BZ $5 per annum for citizens and BZ $25 for non-citizens. The license holder does not need to be certified as competent to handle a firearm. The most challenging permit to obtain is the Special Protection License, as there are not many awarded by the Police Commissioner.

The process of applying for gun ownership in Belize

Gun ownership in Belize is restrictive and difficult to navigate, but not impossible. Here is the process of applying for gun ownership in Belize:

Firstly, it is important to note that only permanent residents or citizens of Belize can own a gun. If you are a permanent resident or have acquired citizenship, you will need to undergo a thorough background check, which can take up to six months. This background check will consider your criminal, mental health, medical, and previous firearm ownership records.

If you are applying for a gun license for the first time, you will need to submit a certificate of competence from a Firearm Safety Instructor. However, if you are applying for a Farmer Gun License, you are exempt from providing this certificate. The cost of the application fee for a firearms license is BZ$100, and this fee is non-refundable.

The type of gun license you can apply for will depend on your intended use for the firearm. The licenses available include:

• Special Protection License
• Gun Repair License
• Sport Hunter License
• Farmer Gun License
• Shooting Range License
• Shooting Club License
• Firearm Safety Instructor License
• Heirloom Firearm License
• Company Gun License

The maximum caliber allowed in Belize is 9mm, and you can only possess 100 rounds of ammunition at any one time. If you need more than 200 rounds of ammunition per year, you will need to submit an application.

It is important to note that gun laws in Belize are strictly enforced, and failure to comply can result in detention and incarceration without bail. For example, forgetting to renew your gun permit on time or being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated can lead to arrest and incarceration.

Additionally, it is illegal to import or export firearms and ammunition into or out of Belize without proper authorization.

The rules around importing a gun into Belize

Belize has strict gun laws and it is very difficult to import a gun into the country. If you are a permanent resident or citizen of Belize, you may be able to import a gun, but you will need to apply for a special permit and declare it before arrival. The gun will be impounded by the police and registered before a license is granted.

To be eligible for a gun license, you must undergo a thorough background check, which can take up to six months. You must also pay a non-refundable application fee of BZ$100. The cost of a gun license varies depending on the type of license and the citizenship status of the applicant. For example, a Farmer Gun License is BZ$5 per year for citizens and BZ$25 per year for non-citizens, while a Special Protection License is BZ$75 for citizens and BZ$500 for non-citizens.

There are strict rules around the types of guns that can be imported into Belize. The maximum caliber allowed is 9mm, and anything above this, such as a \.38 magnum or .45 caliber, is prohibited. Only certain types of rifles are allowed, such as \.22 and .223 caliber rifles, which are permitted only under a Sports Hunter License. It is also illegal to possess more than 100 rounds of ammunition at any one time.

In addition to the strict gun laws, Belize has strict laws around the use of firearms while intoxicated. It is unlawful to be in possession of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol above the prescribed limit, and doing so can result in arrest and incarceration without bail.

The penalties for gun-related offences in Belize

Gun ownership in Belize is considered a privilege, not a right, and the country has a quagmire of laws aimed at restricting it. The Firearms and Ammunition Control Board is the only entity authorised to issue gun permits, and the process is difficult to navigate. Permanent residents and citizens of Belize can own a gun after a background check, but the waiting period can be as long as six months.

Belize takes gun control very seriously, and there are strict penalties for gun-related offences. The maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm is a prison term of five years for a first offence, and seven years for a second or subsequent offence.

Belize has strict gun license laws, and gun owners who forget to renew their license on time run the risk of being detained by the authorities and incarcerated without recourse to bail for one month. The only way to be bailed for this offence is to hire a lawyer and apply to the High Court, which is expensive and time-consuming.

Belize also has strict rules regarding the possession of ammunition. Possession of one round in excess of the quota (100 rounds at any one time) or the wrong calibre is a firearm offence, leading to immediate remand to prison without bail for one month. A gun license holder is allowed to purchase 200 rounds of ammunition per year, and if more is needed, an application must be made.

All permits in Belize are gun-specific, and having a different gun than the one on your permit is a jailable offence. The penalty is jail time for each bullet and gun.

The types of guns that are prohibited in Belize

Gun ownership in Belize is restrictive and difficult to navigate. The Firearms and Ammunition Control Board is the only entity authorised to issue a gun permit, with about 800 gun licenses issued annually. The following are some of the types of guns that are prohibited in Belize:

• Any firearm with a calibre above 9mm, such as a .38 magnum or .45, is deemed prohibited.
• Rifles of 7.62 calibre or higher are prohibited.
• Revolvers of .44 calibre or higher are prohibited.
• Magnum revolvers of .357 calibre or higher are prohibited.
• Sawed-off shotguns of any calibre are prohibited.
• Machine guns of any calibre are prohibited.
• Semi-automatic rifles derived from service rifles, often referred to as assault rifles, face additional scrutiny and restrictions.

Additionally, modifications to firearms, such as custom grips, laser pointers, or engraving, are not allowed. The laws in Belize aim to restrict gun ownership and curb the usage of firearms in crimes.

Frequently asked questions