Government Notices published in Government Gazette No. 21,747 of 6th November 2026

It is hereby notified that the Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector has appointed Mr Antonello Gauci as a member of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector for a period of six (6) months, until 28th February, 2027.

It is being notified that in terms of Article 23(1)(b) of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act, Mr Joseph Farrugia is no longer holder of the medal conferred to him in accordance with this Act. 

IT is hereby notified for general information that the following person has been appointed Deputy Executive Secretary of that Local Council with effect from the 1st November, 2026.

Local CouncilDeputy Executive Secretary

  Ħal Lija                              Etienne Montfort

IT is hereby notified for general information that the following person has been appointed Executive Secretary of that Local Council with effect from the 4th January, 2027.

Local CouncilExecutive Secretary

Mtarfa                                     Maria Briffa Callus

Explanatory Notes: Arms (Amendment) Act, 2025

Introduction

This legislation amends the Arms Act in response to a communication from the European Commission that certain provisions of the Firearms Directive 2021/555 have been inaccurately transposed.

​Summary and Background

The amendments in in this legislation provide for:

i. when the Commissioner may give authorisation to acquire Schedule I (prohibited items) provided that this is not contrary to public order;

ii. rules relating to the importation of firearms (subject to a licence) and to taking possession of a firearm (subject to the Commissioner's authorisation);

​iii. rules relating to export of firearms and authorisations to travel with firearms outside Malta (European Firearms Pass);

iv. the manufacture or modification of firearms and ammunition, which shall require a Gunsmith licence as prescribed in the Regulations;

​v. the provision of personal details whenever a firearm is transferred, to ensure identification by the authorities;

vi. harsher disqualification from holding a licence in the event that a person commits a serious offence and is sentenced to at least five years of imprisonment;

vii. the refusal of a licence in the interest of public order or security;

viii. conditions for museums to exhibit Schedule I firearms;

ix. the deletion of Article 67, the transitory article relating to licences previously issued under the Ordinance that was replaced by the Arms Act in 2005;

x. the explicit identification in the schedules of firearms that have been converted to fire blanks, other substances or into salute or acoustic weapons. Such weapons shall retain the original schedule even after having been so converted;

xi. the correction of the reference to Article 35 in Schedule III, and

xii. a new Schedule IV, i.e. the Commission's technical specifications for alarm and signal weapons.

It should be noted that, with the exception of points vi and viii, it is not expected that these provisions will have a substantial impact on current practices, as most of these amendments entail clarification, cross-reference to existing obligations, or in one case the deletion of an old transitory provision.

Point vi introduces a prolonged exclusion from holding a licence whenever a serious offence has been committed, while point viii specifies requirements to exhibit Schedule I firearms which, as a minimum, shall replicate conditions applicable to the holder of a licence A Special and other measures considered necessary by the Commssioner.

Overview of the Structure of the Instrument

Article 1: Title of the Instrument.

Article 2: Amendment to Article 4 of the Act (authorisation to acquire Schedule I items).

Article 3: Amendment to Article 5 (authorisation from the Commissioner to import or export firearms and related matters).

Article 4: Amendment to Article 14 (provisions relating to the requirement of a gunsmith licence to manufacture, modify or convert firearms and ammunition).

Article 5: Amendment to Article 15 (addition of essential components to the register of firearms). 

Article 6: Amendment to Article 20 (provision of the particulars to enable identification of person acquiring firearms).

​Article 7: Amendment to Article 24 (proviso to specify that when certain serious crimes are committed the disqualifications in the new Article 24A shall apply).

Article 8: Introduction of a new Article 24A prescribing a more prolonged exclusion from holding a licence in the event that certain serious offences are committed. 

Article 9: Amendment to Article 25 to specify that a licence shall be refused in the interest of public order or safety.

Article 10: Amendment to Article 35 whereby museums exhibiting Schedule I items would, as a minimum, comply with the conditions applicable to the holder of a Collector Licence A Special, as well as any other security conditions imposed by the Commissioner.

Article 11: Deletion of Article 67, which provided for the transition from the old Arms Ordinance to the Arms Act.

​Article 12: Amendment to Schedule II, Part I, Item 5, to better reflect the wording of the Directive. Moreover, a new item 11 has been added, which refers to firearms in this category converted to fire blanks, irritants, or other active substances or pyrotechnic rounds.

Article 13: The reference to Article 34 in Schedule III has been corrected, while the following new item 5 has been added: firearms in this category converted to fire blanks, irritants, or other active substances or pyrotechnic rounds.

Article 14: A new Schedule IV has been added, which replicates the Commission Implementing Directive relating to alarm and signal weapons.

Commentary on Articles

Article 2: The amended Article 3 of the Act replicates the wording of the Directive in relation to the precise circumstances when items classified under Schedule I may be authorised, provided that this is not contrary to public security or public order.

It is not anticipated that, de facto, this amendment would have an impact on current practices.

Article 3: The amended Article 5 specifies that a licence or permit by the Commissioner is required to import or export items falling under the Act into or from Malta. Moreover, no person shall take possession of an item without prior approval to the Commissioner. The new provision also specifies that these rules apply to converted firearms and firearms that have been deactivated. Finally, this provision allows the Commissioner to grant authorisations for multiple journeys, which shall be entered in the European Firearms Pass.

The amendments in question reflect current practice.

Article 4: The amendment to Article 14 specifies that a gunsmith licence, issued under the Arms Licensing Regulations, is required to manufacture, modify, convert firearms, essential components or to manufacture, modify and convert ammunition.

​These amendments do not change current practices.

Article 5: The term “essential component" is being added to Article 15, whereby such items are to be included in the register.

This is in line with current practices.

Article 6: The amendment to Article 20 provides that any person acquiring an arm proper shall provide his or her particulars.

This is in line with current practice.

Article 7: The amendment to Article 24 specifies that the new disqualifications in Article 24A shall apply when certain serious crimes have been committed.

Article 8: A new article 24A provides for a period of disqualification of 20 years following the completion of a sentence whenever a person has committed a serious offence (from one of those listed in the Article) for which he or she was sentenced for at least five years.

This provision introduces stricter disqualification in response to the Commission's statement that the current Act does not adequately provide for cases where a person is a danger to themselves or to others, including where serious/violent offences have been committed. 

Article 9: The amendment to Article 25 specifies that a licence shall be refused in the interest of public order or safety.

​This is in line with current practice.

Article 10: This amendment requires museums exhibiting Schedule I firearms or related items to comply with conditions applicable to Collector Licence A Special holders, as well as additional security conditions as required by the Commissioner.

This provision may therefore result in the imposition of further security requirements for museums exhibiting Schedule I items. The Commission considers that the current provisions in the Act do not meet this requirement.

Article 11: The old transitory provision to cover the switch from the old Arms Ordinance to the Arms Act is being deleted.

It is not anticipated that this deletion would have an impact on stakeholders.

​Article 12: The wording in Schedule II, Part I, Item 5 is being amended to better reflect the wording in the Directive.

De facto, this amendment should have no impact on stakeholders.

Moreover, a new item 10 is being introduced whereby it is explicitly stated that Schedule II items that have been modified, e.g. to fire blanks, shall still be classified under Schedule II.

Again, it is not anticipated that this addition would have an impact on stakeholders.

Article 13: In addition to a correction, a new item 5 is being introduced whereby items that have been modified, e.g. to fire blanks, shall still be classified under Schedule III.

It is not anticipated that this addition would have an impact on stakeholders.

​Article 14: A new schedule IV replicates the technical specifications relating to alarm and signal weapons in the relative Commission Implementing Directive. No such items shall be registered if they do not comply with this schedule.

This amendment reflects current practices, for the relevant standards were already being enforced.

​Conclusion

These provisions shall enter into force upon publication.

These Explanatory Notes refer to Act No. XX (Arms (Amendment)Act, 2026) published in Government Gazette No. 21,743 of 30th October, 2026.

​Heraldry and Genealogy Regulations

IN terms of the proviso to article 9(2) of the Heraldry and Genealogy Regulations 2021 (L.N. 489 of 2021) (S.L. 445.07), the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta hereby notifies that the persons listed hereunder have applied for the provision/registration of heraldic arms from the Office of the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta.

Anyone is to inform the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta by not later than twenty one (21) days after publication of any valid and cogent representations for or against the application. Such representations shall be addressed to the Registrar either in writing by means of registered mail to the Office of the Chief Herald or electronically by means of email to the email address (chiefherald@gov.mt).

1. Vol. 2/R0089/2026; Peter James Richards-Highfield (UK)

Per fess Purpure and Vert, a fess chequy Sable and Argent between in chief a castle of two towers Argent masoned Sable with windows and port Azure and in base a rose Argent barbed Sable seeded Or, all within a bordure Or for difference.  Above the shield is a helm befitting his degree with mantling Purpure doubled Or, bearing for a crest upon a wreath of the liveries A lion rampant Murrey, armed and langued Azure, holding in its forepaws in pale a key its ward in base facing dexter. Or.

​Motto: Cor Leonis

2. Vol. 2/G0162/2026;Patrizio Imperato di Montecorvino (Italy)

Quarterly

1st. & 4th

Azure, two lions combatant Or langued Gules below in chief a galero with twelve tassels all Gules. (for Imperato).

​2nd & 3rd

Azure a crowned lion rampant Or debruised by a label of three Gules. (for Romano).

For a Motto: Costantia Et Patientia Omnia Vincit

3. Vol. 2/R0080/2026: Dr. Maurizio Fortunato Oscar Silviotti Silvani (Italy)

Per fess Argent three trees proper fesswise and Azure a lion passant Or langued and armed Gules. Above the Arms a helm befitting his degree with mantling Azure doubled Argent and Or bearing as a crest, three plumes Argent, Azure and Or.

Motto: Semper Victoria Confido

4. Vol. 2/G0170/2026; Captain Mark Chapelle (Malta)

Quarterly

First, Per fess Gules an orange tree Proper fructed Or supported at sinister by a lion salient of the Last and Azure three bendlets sinister of the Second (for Ciantar).

Second, Gules a double-headed eagle displayed Or crowned of the Same (for Lascaris). Third, between four firesteels addorsed a Greek cross all Or (for Paleologo). Fourth, Azure between three mullets of six points Or (2,1) a chevron of the same (for Abela). Over all  upon an escutcheon Azure a fleur-de-lys Or.

Above the shield is placed a baronial coronet, above which, two helms Argent both turned inwards with visor bars and gorgets Or and mantling Gules doubled Or the one at dexter bearing the coronet of a Count and that at sinister of a Baron. For a crest, centrally placed atop both helms, upon a wreath of the colours an orange tree proper fructed Or supported at sinister by a lion salient Or (for Ciantar).

​The shield is borne on an eagle displayed and decapitated Sable armed Gules

Motto: IGENIO ET PRUDENTIA

5 Vol. 2/G180/2026; Raymond M. Cassar (Malta); Addendum to Vol. 1/G0016/2020

Badge: A cross pattée Gules charged at its centre with a griffon segreant Or, the letters P, S, E and S Sable placed respectively in chief, dexter flank, sinister flank and base to read the word SPES for (Cassar).

Standard: Of four yards in length fringed compony Azure, Or and Gules, rounded and split in the fly, the Arms in the hoist, the livery field, per fess Azure and Gules,  is split into three by two transverse bands Argent   bearing the motto Vincit Amor, each division of the field bearing a Griffin segreant Or.

Dr Charles A. Gauci

Chief Herald of Arms of Malta

Completion of Road Formation and Traffic and Parking Suspension

The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 9th November, 2026 and 26th March, 2027, it will be starting road works in Triq is-Santwarju, Triq ix-Xgħajra, Triq San Nikola, Triq il-Qaqoċċ, Triq il-Mgħasar, Triq il-Bursett and Sqaq Bursett, Ħaż-Żabbar. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be restricted dur-ing certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 9th November, 2026 and 26th March, 2027, it will be starting road works in Triq iċ-Ċimiterju, Triq Santa Marija, Triq ix-Xgħajra and Triq il-Grazzji, Ħaż-Żabbar. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be restricted dur-ing certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 9th November, 2026 and 26th March, 2027, it will be starting road works in Triq iċ-Ċikas, Triq il-Ward, Triq l-Avukat Pasquale De Lorenz, Triq l-Ewwel ta' Frar 1994 and Triq Francesco Saverio Briffa, Ħaż-Żabbar. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be re-stricted during certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 9th November, 2026 and 26th March, 2027, it will be starting road works in Triq il-Vittorja, Triq Bajada, Triq l-Inkurunazzjoni u Triq ir-Redentur, Ħaż-Żabbar. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be restricted dur-ing certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

Vehicles found in contravention to the order of this notice and to the related 'no parking' signs on site are liable to be towed.

​Further information or assistance may be obtained by email to (info.im@infrastructuremalta.com).

THE Commissioner of Inland Revenue notifies that, on the date shown hereunder, the price of gold and silver on which valuations made by the Consul for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths are based has been fixed for the purposes of article 14 of the said Act as follows: