(a) Within fifteen (15) days after this act is approved by the Governor of Puerto Rico, the Secretary of State shall publish in two newspapers of general circulation in Puerto Rico a notice containing the text thereof. Said notice shall point out to the citizenry the obligation to surrender, within sixty (60) days following the date of publication of the notice, any weapons, instruments or devices of those mentioned in § 541 of this title which they may have in their possession.
(b) Before expiration of the said term of sixty (60) days any person having in his possession any of the weapons, instruments or devices mentioned in § 541 of this title shall surrender same to the District Commander of the Police of Puerto Rico of the municipality where such person resides.
(c) Any person surrendering any such weapon, instrument or device within the term specified in subsection (a) above shall be entitled to receive the amount of the value thereof according to appraisal made by the official designated therefor by the Superintendent of Police of Puerto Rico, and, if not satisfied with the appraisal made of the weapon, instrument or device so surrendered, said person may claim payment of any difference through action brought in the part of the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico corresponding to his place of residence, and the decision of the court shall be final and conclusive.
(d) Payment of the price of any weapon, instrument or device surrendered as set forth in this section shall be made by the Secretary of the Treasury upon warrant against the funds appropriated for the acquisition of police equipment, and the good faith of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby expressly pledged to the payment of all differences arising from the appraisal of weapons, instruments or devices so surrendered.
History —June 25, 1965, No. 88, p. 220, § 3.