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Police would like to advise the public
against bringing pellet and other prohibited toy guns into Singapore
without proper authorisation. |
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There has been an increase in the number of
such cases detected recently. One man will be charged in court tomorrow
(10 Apr 2007) for illegally bringing into Singapore twenty sets of pellet guns and
failing to declare them at the baggage screening area of Budget
Terminal, Changi Airport. These pellet guns are also commonly known as
airsoft or BB guns. |
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The 58-year-old Singaporean man was directed
by ICA officers to have his baggage screened when his flight from China
arrived at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport in the early morning of 14
February 2007. |
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When asked, the man did not declare any
items. Subsequent screening revealed images that appeared to be guns
within his baggage. A physical check of his check-in carton revealed 20
sets of pellet guns and 5 bottles of pellets. He was subsequently
detained for investigation. |
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Police investigated a total of 38 cases
involving airsoft guns in 2006. Since the beginning of this year (2007),
Police have investigated 21 such cases. Most of these airsoft guns were
detected at the airport and other checkpoints, as well as the Singapore
Post Centre. |
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Though such airsoft guns may be treated as
toys in other countries, their improper use may result in injuries to
persons and damage to property. Such imitation arms which often look
like real weapons can also be used in the commission of offences. |
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Police would like to remind the public that
importation of airsoft guns is an offence both under the Regulation of
Imports and Exports Regulations and the Arms & Explosives Act. |
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Anyone wishing to import airsoft guns must
seek prior approval from the Arms & Explosives Branch. |
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Importation without approval or a licence is
an offence which is punishable with a fine not exceeding $100,000 under
the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations or to a fine not
exceeding $10,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years
under the Arms & Explosives Act. Travellers having such airsoft guns
will have to declare and surrender these items at the checkpoints. |
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The possession of such airsoft guns in
Singapore without a licence constitutes an offence under the Arms &
Explosives Act, punishable with a fine not exceeding $5,000 and
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years. |
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It is also an offence for anyone to import
or export, via parcel post, any arms or explosives or any parts of arms
or explosives. Anyone caught doing this may be prosecuted in Court for
an offence of importing or exporting any arms or explosives under
section 13 (1) of the Arms & Explosives Act, Chapter 13. |
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If convicted, the offender will be liable to
imprisonment not exceeding 3 years and fined up to S$10,000. |
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For more details, please contact Police
Licensing Division at 68350000 or email at
spf_ops_licensing@spf.gov.sg. Alternatively, correspondences can
also be sent to: |
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Arms & Explosives Branch
Police Licensing Division
391 New Bridge Road #02-701
Police Cantonment Complex
Singapore 088762
Fax: 62234704 |
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
09 April 2007 @2.00pm |
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Source: www.spf.gov.sg
Media Release 9 Apr 2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 10 April 2007
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