Issues Executive Order #141
Monrovia, Liberia – In an effort to improve public safety and national security, President Joseph N. Boakai has signed Executive Order #141, which requires all guns owned by civilians to be registered.
“The order is in response to the increasing national security threats posed by illicit firearms, including military-style weapons, which have contributed to rising incidents of armed violence, including armed robberies and other criminal activities,” the Executive Mansion said in a release dated February 24, 2025.
The spread of uncontrolled small firearms, according to President Boakai, presents serious threats to Liberia’s economic growth, peace, and security. The Liberian leader clarified that any person in possession of military-style weapons and single-barrel firearms is required by Executive Order #141 to register with the Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) and obtain a permit and license within a year of the order’s effective date.
According to President Boakai, the Executive Order’s main features include: requiring civilian-owned firearms to be registered in accordance with national firearms regulations; marking and recording registered firearms in the national database to improve traceability; allowing the voluntary surrender of illegal and unauthorized firearms, including military-style arms and craft weapons, to LiNCA for processing and possible registration; and imposing legal penalties for non-compliance, such as administrative sanctions and criminal prosecution after the given registration period.
According to him, the directive is in line with Liberia’s obligations under regional and international weapons control accords, such as the ECOWAS Convention on Small weapons and Light Weapons and the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.
President Boakai went on to say that improved labeling, inspection, and stockpile management had also helped the government secure state-owned weapons.
In order to guarantee complete compliance, President Boakai has also called on the Ministry of Justice to work with LiNCA to oversee the Executive Order’s enforcement. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, along with development partners, is anticipated to support the operational plan for implementation.
To help make Liberia safer and more secure, the Liberian leader asked all gun owners to comply within the given time frame.
