In Reunion, the 4,100 holders of more than 20,000 weapons must be registered by December 31, 2024 within the Weapons Information System. Also called Sia, this digital platform makes it possible to manage and monitor the legal possession of firearms on a national scale. (Photos: sly/www.imazpress.com)
An awareness-raising and demonstration operation of the process of creating an account on the Weapons Information System (Sia) was organized this Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Cadjee armory, located in the city center of Saint-Denis.
According to Parvine Lacombe, the prefect's chief of staff, Sia was created in 2022 to strengthen “knowledge and control of weapons in the territory. It is a simplification, modernization and security of weapons and authorizations”.
– A single interface for all procedures –
Sia replaces Agrippa, the Application for managing the computerized directory of gun owners and possessors. This file was “old and less up to date than the new system will be,” assures Parvine Lacombe.
A certain number of procedures will now be dematerialized for both the owner and the gunsmith. Ultimately, Sia aims to be the sole interface for these procedures. All weapon holders must therefore be registered within the System from December 31, 2024.
– Weapons will be dispossessed from January 1st –
As of January 1, 2025, holders who have not created their account on the platform will be in contradiction with the regulations. They will no longer be able to buy ammunition and will be exposed to the risk of having their weapon given up.
According to the prefecture, holders linked to a federation or club are mostly up to date with their obligations. But “it remains necessary to raise awareness among unaffiliated individuals and holders of defense weapons such as gum-bumps, alarm weapons, or deactivated firearms (categories C3, C9 and C12)”, explains the services of the State.
– “Easy and quick” account creation –
The prefecture wishes to encourage account creation which is intended to be “easy and quick”. “You need an email address and access to the internet,” explains the chief of staff of the prefect. “You then just need to have an identity document and proof of address less than 3 months old.”
To help gun owners create their account and complete the procedures, the France services counters will also be available.
Digital reception points are also accessible in the sub-prefecture from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Finally, there remain the gun shops but also the shooting clubs and the Departmental Hunting Federation which can support the holders in bringing them into compliance with the regulations.
– Let's replace Finiada –
In 2023, just over 20,000 weapons were declared to La Réunion for 4,100 holders. However, Parvine Lacombe is aware that a “part of the weapons escape declaration and therefore control”. No one knows how many weapons are actually present on the island.
Note that Sia must also make it possible to put an end to Finiada, the National File of people prohibited from acquiring and possessing weapons. With this common platform, the registration appears immediately whether for gunsmiths, state services or law enforcement.
– Carrying weapons in France: what the legislation says –
In France, weapons are divided into four main categories, defined according to their dangerousness and their potential use. Category A, so-called war, are reserved for the army, certain law enforcement agencies, or used for research.
Category B weapons are weapons subject to authorization, such as handguns and certain semi-automatic long guns. Their acquisition requires prefectural authorization, which is issued under strict conditions.
Category C weapons are weapons subject to declaration, including in particular hunting or sport shooting rifles and rifles. Their detention requires a declaration to the prefecture and a legitimate reason, such as hunting or sports shooting.
Finally, category D brings together weapons on sale over the counter or subject to registration, such as low-power compressed air weapons or certain knives.
– Owning a weapon, does not authorize you to carry it –
Acquiring a weapon in France involves complex procedures. For category B and C weapons, several documents must be provided: a valid shooting license or hunting permit; a medical certificate attesting to the psychological and physical fitness of the applicant; an absence of criminal record (bulletin no. 2) as well as specific training for certain weapons.
This authorization is not permanent: it must be renewed periodically, and the administration can revoke it at any time in the event of doubt about the dangerousness of the holder.
Unlike detention, the carrying of weapons is strictly reserved for law enforcement and security agents, under strict conditions and after training. In activities such as shooting or hunting, weapons must be transported and unloaded under specific conditions.
Note that an exceptional authorization to carry a weapon can be issued by the prefect to people exposed to significant risks such as magistrates or journalists under threat.
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Weapons Information System, Sia, Digital Platform
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