Spearfishing - License

ajzammit · July 27, 2010, 21:58:36 CET

Hi all. I'm new here... and this is my first post.
I have a little harpoon which I bought circa 15 years ago and have no license for it. The shop I bought it from didn't even tell me I needed one, and I had no idea I license was required!! Only in Malta ... :-) Now I'm getting interested again in spearfishing. Can anyone suggest the best way to regulate my position? I.e: what is the best thing to do. Inform the police about it, or simply buy a new harpoon and do things the proper way straight away (and put the old harpoon back on the shelves) ?? Your ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

skip · July 28, 2010, 06:48:24 CET

Not an easy to postion to be in, on the one hand if you regulate your position you may get in trouble though it would be very narrow-sighted of the police on the other hand unless you were already planning on buying a new harpoon you have the cost of the new harpoon plus licence to think about.

It's my understanding and I stand to be corrected that once you have a licence you don't pay for additional harpoons so that may be the best method. I also don't think that you need to produce your gun to get the licence so perhaps you can just apply for one without buying a new one? Spearo guys can you confirm?

Welcome to the forum AJ.

TOFTOF · July 28, 2010, 08:22:52 CET

Ask at the Police Station for some tips.

Or else but a new harpoon +licence

baghira · July 28, 2010, 08:39:46 CET

This if from my knowledge, as far as I remember correctly, since that I applied for my first permit ages ago.

I had a same harpoon as yours, and it happened to me that once I went fishing for lampuki, i took the gun with me, and it ended up the police confiscating it, and ended at court. Luckily enough i was not charged more penalties.

I do not suggest going to police and ask, since that it is a matter of being lucky!!!! It depends whom you meet at the police station. You might ask a police officer whom does not care and would not help, it could be the otherway round that the officer you meet really understands your position and tries to help, and it could happen that this officer does a whole 'pantomine' and confiscates your speargun.

So. The only thing to do is that you go to some kindly hearted shop owner (or to the owner of the shop you bought it from), and he will give you the papers for this harpoon, as if you bought it from him, and proceed with the license. Otherwise buy a new gun and license, and persuade the shop owner that if you buy a gun he can also give you papers for the old gun. Or else scrap the gun............ These are the only ways to register a weapon. You cannot tell the police that you had your weapon bought 15 years ago, and now you want it registered, and what about the past 15 years, weren't you supposed to pay the license!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the same with a vehicle, with the difference that this is classified as WEAPON.
Once you pay a license the other guns come free, but they still need to be registered in the same license obviously. The price you pay for the yearly license nowadays got cheaper (one of the few things that got cheaper).

mellieha · July 28, 2010, 14:08:48 CET

technically speaking everything that can be clasified as a weapon has to be registered.

Shot guns pistols, harpoons, knifes.

The licence fee is ONE but all weapons must be registered on it.

E.g. I owe 2 harpoons and both are registered. I also owe 3 registered diving knifes and one (small) that does not need to be registered. But I only pay one license.

Another now stupid example: If you buy a tomahawk from an army shop it has to be registered. If you buy an axe (similar to wood cutting) from a Tools Shop then you don't need to register it, but as soon as that can be changed into a weapon it has to be on the register. i.e. if you get into a fight and use a kitchen knife (unregister as all) you will be charged with possession of a weapon in public.

caldaland · July 28, 2010, 16:26:43 CET

in that case i better register my mother-in-law!

Kevin G · July 28, 2010, 19:15:02 CET

Last year I bought a diving knife, he didn't tell me to register it just told me to keep it with the diving equipment.

Even my buddy bought a knife but from another shop and he didn't tell him to register it.

ajzammit · July 28, 2010, 21:57:14 CET

Hi to all.
Wow ... i didn't expect so many replies. Thank you all very much for your input. Now, I have some thinking to do and some a decision to take! Issa naraw.
Thanks again

mellieha · July 29, 2010, 10:05:03 CET

kevin knifes depend on size.

But technically they are a weapon - I highlighted the inconsistency of the law already

Kriston · December 06, 2010, 18:01:53 CET

Hi folks

I am new to spearfishing.

After reading the thread I am still unwise as to how to get a licence. Is there not a simple form that one can complete?

It seems silly that for something so important (weapons) there is not a website dedictated.

Does anyone have any fresh advice they could help me with?

Many thanks

Kriston

Kriston · December 06, 2010, 18:53:30 CET

I found the solution:

"Spearfishing license: Before the actual purchase of the gun, one obtains license number from Police General Headquarters weapons Offices after a short interview with an officer. One is asked to fill in a form with personal details and speargun specifications.

- For the purchase of any arm which requires a licence and to keep such an arm during the year of its purchase. (reg.1_Police Licences Regulations, CAP. 128) EUR 16.31.
- To keep a speargun during any year following the year of purchase there of, per annum. (reg.6_Police Licences Regulations, CAP. 128) EUR 6.99
- To carry a speargun per annum (reg.7_Police Licences Regulations, CAP. 128) EUR 3.49"

http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/index.php/topic,3085.msg37868.html#msg37868

Kevin G · December 06, 2010, 20:25:29 CET

Kriston, the only thing to do is go to your favourite shop that you will be buying your speargun and he will explain everything from scretch.

Kriston · December 07, 2010, 13:46:19 CET

Thanks Kevin, I just read this now.

The problem is, I am sending one from the UK..

I called HQ earlier this morning, who said I need to go to my local police station and the details will be sorted there.

I shall endeavour!

Kevin G · December 07, 2010, 16:05:49 CET

When calling the HQ have you asked to speak to the weapons office?

Kriston · December 07, 2010, 19:53:04 CET

I emailed the HQ, they gave me the Weapons office number and I spoke to a WPC who referred me to my local station.

weapons department: 2294 2110