Integrity Commission report on FLA finally tabled

The long-awaited Integrity Commission report into the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, uncovering concerns about database records, ammunition inventory controls and information management practices at the agency.

The report, officially titled the “Investigation Concerning Allegations of Corruption, Impropriety and Irregularity at the Firearm Licensing Authority”, became the subject of intense political controversy in recent weeks after Opposition members accused Parliament of delaying its release.

READ:Opposition demands release of FLA report before staging walkout

The investigation examined allegations of corruption, improper conduct, record-keeping failures and irregularities within the FLA’s licensing, inventory management and storage systems.

Among its findings, the commission concluded that inaccurate information had been entered into the FLA’s Licence Management System (LMS) in relation to firearms dealer Kent Brown.

“The DI [Director of Investigation] concludes that the FLA’s Licence Management System (LMS) was manipulated by the FLA and it appears that inaccurate information was inputted in Mr Kent Brown’s LMS account,” the report stated.

The commission said the conclusion was based on evidence that four entries were made to Brown’s account showing three individuals purchasing a total of 6,000 rounds of bird-hunting ammunition without his request or consent.

“The DI’s conclusion is premised on the fact that Shevon Robinson, former Database Administrator at the FLA, made four entries to the LMS of Mr Brown, of three individuals purchasing a total of six thousand 12 Gauge bird hunting ammunition, without the request or consent of Mr Kent Brown,” the report said.

Investigators also examined the FLA’s ammunition storage and inventory systems and found weaknesses in accountability measures. The report noted that 191 rounds of 0.22 ammunition belonging to a licensed firearm holder could not be accounted for and recommended an independent audit of the agency’s vaults.

The commission further raised concerns about the state of some stored ammunition, citing deteriorating packaging and fading identification labels that could complicate inventory management.

The report makes several recommendations aimed at strengthening governance, improving record management and enhancing oversight within the agency.