§ 88 — Exemption for defence purposes

88.—(1) The persons in subsection (2) do not commit an offence under this Act only because of something done by the person in the exercise or discharge of the person’s powers or duties to the extent the power or duty requires the person to possess, handle or use a gun, a major part of a gun or a gun accessory, an explosive or explosive precursor, a weapon or noxious substance or operate a shooting range in connection with any of the following:(a)

the defence of Singapore, including activities intended to support the functions of the Singapore Armed Forces, or other activities necessary for the defence and security of Singapore;

(b)

the protection of the integrity of Singapore’s territory and its borders from serious threats and the protection of Singapore or part of it, or the people of Singapore, from terrorism, espionage or other like activities intended or likely to obstruct, hinder or interfere with the defence and security of Singapore;

(c)

any air or sea operations that the Singapore Armed Forces is authorised under section 201B of the Singapore Armed Forces Act (Cap. 295) to be deployed;

(d)

the deployment of the Singapore Armed Forces under section 201C of the Singapore Armed Forces Act in relation to a relevant event (within the meaning of section 201C(10) of that Act), but only for the period the Singapore Armed Forces is authorised under section 201C(1) of that Act to be deployed with respect to that relevant event;

(e)

an authorisation under section 201D of the Singapore Armed Forces Act for the protection of persons and property of any Singapore Armed Forces property which has been declared a protected area or a protected place under the Infrastructure Protection Act 2017 (Act 41 of 2017);

(f)

the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community in Singapore or for the conduct of exercises relating thereto under the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273).

(2) The persons to whom subsection (1) applies are as follows:(a)

a member of the Singapore Armed Forces, whether or not in regular service or national service, and includes an operationally ready national serviceman and a volunteer;

(b)

any person for the time approved by the Minister charged with the responsibility for defence in connection with any matter in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f).

—(1) The persons in subsection (2) do not commit an offence under this Act only because of something done by the person in the exercise or discharge of the person’s powers or duties to the extent the power or duty requires the person to possess, handle or use a gun, a major part of a gun or a gun accessory, an explosive or explosive precursor, a weapon or noxious substance or operate a shooting range in connection with any of the following:(a)

the defence of Singapore, including activities intended to support the functions of the Singapore Armed Forces, or other activities necessary for the defence and security of Singapore;

(b)

the protection of the integrity of Singapore’s territory and its borders from serious threats and the protection of Singapore or part of it, or the people of Singapore, from terrorism, espionage or other like activities intended or likely to obstruct, hinder or interfere with the defence and security of Singapore;

(c)

any air or sea operations that the Singapore Armed Forces is authorised under section 201B of the Singapore Armed Forces Act (Cap. 295) to be deployed;

(d)

the deployment of the Singapore Armed Forces under section 201C of the Singapore Armed Forces Act in relation to a relevant event (within the meaning of section 201C(10) of that Act), but only for the period the Singapore Armed Forces is authorised under section 201C(1) of that Act to be deployed with respect to that relevant event;

(e)

an authorisation under section 201D of the Singapore Armed Forces Act for the protection of persons and property of any Singapore Armed Forces property which has been declared a protected area or a protected place under the Infrastructure Protection Act 2017 (Act 41 of 2017);

(f)

the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community in Singapore or for the conduct of exercises relating thereto under the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273).

(2) The persons to whom subsection (1) applies are as follows:(a)

a member of the Singapore Armed Forces, whether or not in regular service or national service, and includes an operationally ready national serviceman and a volunteer;

(b)

any person for the time approved by the Minister charged with the responsibility for defence in connection with any matter in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f).