Having endured an excessively long wait for the return of my confiscated ‘licensed hammerless auto-pistol’, I am bringing this matter to the attention of the public – through your well-read newspaper – by giving the facts, including the very unorthodox manner in which the pistol was removed from my residence with no official warrant, but only the production of a brief – and wrongly addressed – note from St Julian’s Police Station. This was the result of a ‘report’ from a female government social worker after she had visited my wife, who suffers from dementia, and I myself, physically disabled as a result of two serious accidents since 2009.

Police records, particularly relating to my conduct, will also attest to the fact that not only have I been qualified ‘to purchase and keep firearms’ since the age of 18 but also in 1951 (when I was 21) I was also officially licensed ‘to export and carry a firearm overseas’. Subsequently, in 1965, without any mention of a firearm, the managing director of C&W Worldwide communicated to me, through my then general manager in Malta: “The Company offers no objection to you acting as part-time administrator of a special building under construction in Malta.”

Once constructed, this building – located in a most discreet part of Ta’ Xbiex – consisted of 16 apartments and, with much secrecy and careful selection, primarily accommodated the German Embassy, followed by The British High Commission, including Intelligence Service officials, as was made known to me later by Capt. John Venn RN, prior to his departure from Malta. The building was also used by the French Commercial Consulate as well as important diplomats representing the USA, France, Italy and Israel.

I therefore fail to comprehend why I am now being subjected to so much obstruction and unnecessary bureaucracy on the part of the Police Weapons Office in St Julian’s. Should I suspect that proper consultation with their superiors at Police General HQ has been grossly lacking, for the authorised removal of my licensed harmless hammerless firearm?

 

John Louis Curmi

Swieqi