Chang backs FLA CEO Shane Dalling as ministry reviews firearm authority controls

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang says he continues to have “full confidence” in Shane Dalling, the Chief Executive Officer of the Firearm Licensing Authority, even as the Opposition People’s National Party has called for Dalling to step down following a recent Integrity Commission report.

The report raised several concerns at the FLA, including allegations involving ammunition that could not be accounted for, sales linked to a licensed firearm holder who was dead, and information lost after a computer system failure.

In a statement, Dr. Chang said the Ministry will carry out another assessment of the FLA, with attention on accountability controls, inventory tracking and the way the agency manages its operations. He said that exercise is meant to confirm that the Authority is maintaining the standards required for transparency, security and public trust.

The minister said the matters identified by the Integrity Commission are receiving the level of attention they deserve. However, he said the findings must be considered against the wider background of the agency’s reform programme, pointing out that the Commission’s probe started in 2021 while changes were already being made inside the FLA.

According to Dr. Chang, reform work at the Authority has been under way since 2017 with Dalling at the helm. He said those changes have focused on tightening accountability, improving internal procedures, strengthening the vetting process and dealing with weaknesses in the organisation.

He said the purpose of that work has been to ensure the FLA functions in keeping with what is expected of a modern regulatory body.

Dr. Chang also said the public should understand how the Authority is governed. He explained that, under the law, the FLA is answerable through a board-led structure. The CEO handles administration and the daily running of the agency and reports to the Board of Directors.

The Board, he said, gives policy direction and makes decisions that fall within its legal authority. It then reports to the Minister of National Security and Peace.

Dr. Chang said that arrangement keeps the roles separate and places operational matters, including the granting, changing and cancelling of firearm licences, within established governance procedures.

He further stated that before the Integrity Commission report was tabled, the Ministry had already started looking at how the FLA manages its inventory. After an early inspection of the agency’s procedures and facilities, he said the Ministry was satisfied that arrangements existed to account for firearms held by the Authority.

The minister said the Government remains committed to ensuring Jamaica’s firearms regulatory system is run with honesty, accountability and professionalism. He added that any areas needing further improvement will be addressed.