-Nat’l Commission on Arms Launches Nationwide Civilian Gun Registration to Curb Illicit Arms as Liberia Strengthens Post-War Security
GBARNGA, Bong County — The Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA) has launched a nationwide Physical Civilian Arms Registration Exercise, beginning in Gbarnga, Bong County, marking a major national step toward controlling the circulation of small arms in the country.
The exercise, which officially began on November 12, 2025, forms a central component of LiNCA’s mandate under the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 2022 (FACA). It seeks to document all civilian-owned guns, curb illicit weapons trafficking, and reinforce public safety across Liberia.
LiNCA says the program also falls under Executive Order No. 141, which provides a limited-time amnesty that protects individuals from prosecution for possessing unregistered firearms—provided they come forward to register before February 2026.
“Come and Register Your Guns,” LiNCA Tells the Public
LiNCA Chairman James Fromayan urged citizens—especially hunters, traditional firearm holders, and residents of border communities—to comply with the registration process.
“We are calling on all firearm holders to come forward and register their guns,” Fromayan said. “This exercise helps prevent illicit arms trafficking and enhances security for all Liberians. A safer Liberia begins with accountability.”
He noted that the Commission is working with local authorities, chiefs, and community leaders to ensure widespread participation and understanding of the process.
Why Liberia Is Intensifying Small-Arms Control No
Liberia’s renewed push to document small arms is rooted in both its history and current regional security trends.
A Painful Legacy of the Civil Wars
During Liberia’s two civil wars (1989–1996 and 1999–2003), small arms and light weapons played a devastating role. The conflicts claimed an estimated 150,000–250,000 lives, displaced over a million people, and left the country awash with weapons that were never fully recovered.
Thousands of firearms used during the war years were:
- looted from state armories,
- smuggled across borders, or
- hidden in rural communities by fighters who never disarmed.
Regional security assessments estimate that a significant number of these weapons may still be circulating informally—posing ongoing risks for crime, communal violence, and political instability.
Liberia as a Security Hub in a Volatile Region
The Mano River region—Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire—has struggled for decades with arms smuggling due to porous borders and political tensions.
With rising incidents of coup attempts in West Africa, terrorist activities in the Sahel, and increased cross-border trafficking, Liberia’s security institutions are under pressure to prevent the country from becoming a transit point for illicit firearms.
Documenting Firearms: A Key to Preventing Future Instability
Security experts say the LiNCA registration exercise is not merely administrative—it is critical to national stability.
A comprehensive database of civilian firearms allows the government to:
- track ownership of weapons,
- prevent guns from being diverted into criminal networks,
- trace weapons used in violent crimes,
- reduce the risk of electoral violence, and
- strengthen Liberia’s compliance with regional treaties, including the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Liberia is also a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (UNPoA), both of which require strong national arms control systems.
A Step Toward Strengthening Public Trust
LiNCA says effective gun documentation reassures communities that firearms are being monitored responsibly—especially ahead of future elections or periods of political tension.
“This exercise is not about seizing weapons,” Chairman Fromayan clarified. “It is about creating transparency and accountability. When guns are documented, communities feel safer.”
Amnesty Window Ends February 2026
The Commission warns that once the amnesty period expires, possession of unregistered firearms will carry penalties, including fines, weapon seizure, and potential prosecution under the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.
More registration centers will be opened in other counties in the coming weeks, and LiNCA says it will intensify outreach to ensure nationwide compliance.
A Nation Still Healing, Taking Steps to Secure its Futur
Liberia has enjoyed more than 20 years of uninterrupted peace since the end of the civil war. But the presence of undocumented small arms remains a lingering threat—one that LiNCA hopes to eliminate through its current exercise.
The success of the program, officials say, depends heavily on public cooperation.“For Liberia to move forward, we must ensure that our communities are free of unregistered and illegal guns,” Fromayan stressed. “We owe it to ourselves and to future generations.”
