(a) Any license in force to have and possess a firearm, to practice target shooting, or to carry weapons, or any public official license, shall be converted to a weapons license under its corresponding category, if any, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, on or before the end of a term of six (6) months from the date that this act becomes effective. The conversion of the hunting license is voluntary on the part of its holder and may be carried out at any time pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Target shooting licenses held by minors under twenty-one (21) years of age shall be converted to target shooting licenses for minors and said conversion shall be free of charge. Provided, That until they are converted, these shall be governed by the provisions of the acts under which they were issued.
It is hereby provided that once the conversion of a license to a weapons license is applied for, the original license shall not expire until the weapons license is granted, or is canceled because the grantee who requests the conversion does not qualify, pursuant to this chapter.
It is further provided that every weapon previously registered under another license shall automatically be registered under the weapons license, when said license is converted to a weapons license.
(b) Every application for conversion of a license filed with the Superintendent, as established in this chapter, shall include an internal revenue voucher in the amount of fifty dollars ($50), plus one dollar ($1) for each legally registered weapon held by the petitioner.
(c) In the case of licenses pending investigation that have been applied for by persons but not yet issued:
(1) License to have and possess.— The Superintendent shall hand the documents of the application for the petitioner to submit his application pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Provided, That if the petitioner paid the corresponding fees according to Act No. 17 of January 19, 1951, as amended, he/she shall not have to pay the fees established in this chapter.
(2) Target shooting license.— The Superintendent shall hand the documents of the application for the petitioner to submit his/her application pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Provided, That the petitioner shall submit an Internal Revenue voucher for the difference in the amount between the application fee provided in this chapter and those established in Act No. 75 of June 13, 1993, as amended.
(3) Hunting license.— Will be governed by the provisions of §§ 107 et seq. of Title 12, known as the New Wildlife Act of Puerto Rico.
(d) Any special license issued to a security agency engaged in the transportation of valuables in armored vehicles or to its agents, issued pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 348 of December 21, 1999, shall retain its validity until its expiration, when it must be renewed according to the provisions of this chapter.
History —Sept. 11, 2000, No. 404, § 6.04, renumbered as § 7.04 and amended on Jan. 10, 2002, No. 27, §§ 28 and 31; June 3, 2004, No. 137, § 25.