Firearms Appeal Board

c/o Office of the Police Complaints Authority
Corner Park & Abercromby Streets
Port of Spain
Telephone Nos. 1-868- 627-4377/627 4382
Fax No. 1-868-627-0432

Procedural Guidelines

These are the stages necessary in effectively addressing your appeal against the decision of the Commissioner of Police denying you a Firearm User's Licence (FUL)/Firearm User's Employee's Certificate (FUEC).

• You should address your letter of appeal to the Chairman, Firearms Appeal Board, at the above-mentioned address;
  
  
• You should state clearly in your letter, the purpose for which you need the firearm and any other reason/s for appealing the decision of the Commissioner of Police;
  
  
• You should include in your letter, your address and a telephone contact number where you can be reached at short notice;
  
  
• You should attach a copy of the Commissioner's letter of refusal.

N.B. The Board would not consider matters, which are before the Commissioner of Police for his decision/ reconsideration, until there is a final decision. If the Commissioner considered your matter more than two (2) years ago, you are advised to reapply to him before you appeal to the Board.

When the Firearms Appeal Board receives your letter of appeal, to minimize any delay in processing your application, the following steps are undertaken: -

1. Your application is acknowledged within one (1) week of receipt by the Firearms Appeal Board.
   
   
2. The Firearms Appeal Board requests from the Commissioner of Police, the reason/s for his refusal/revocation of your licence or certificate.
   
   
3. Upon receipt of comments from the Commissioner, your matter is placed on a List for Hearing. When your matter is scheduled, you should be notified, in writing at least 2 weeks before the scheduled date. Also included in the letter, is the scheduled time of your interview (Hearing) before the Firearms Appeal Board and the reason/s for the Commissioner's refusal.
   
   
4. You are afforded the opportunity of appearing before the Board on your own behalf or with the service of your Legal Representative/Attorney.
   
   
5. Within three (3) days upon receipt of this letter, you should inform the Board (in writing or by telephone), whether or not you will be able to keep the Appointment and the name of your Attorney, if any.
   
   
6. You should provide documentary proof to support your case.
   
   
7. Within 3-4 weeks of your hearing, the decision of the Board should be communicated to you or your Legal Representative in writing.
   
   
8. Should you be successful, you are to await further communication from the Commissioner of Police before acquiring a firearm.
   
   
9. Unsuccessful appeals will not debar you from reapplying to the Commissioner, should your situation change.

Applications are treated in the order of receipt. The entire appeal process should take approximately 2-3 months.