J’can gets four years for possession of battle rifle

ST JOHN’S (CMC):

A Jamaican national has been sentenced to over four years in prison for possessing what prosecutors describe as an extremely deadly battle rifle that can fire up to 700 rounds per minute.

Akini Walker, 27, appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a black Fabrique Nationale FAL rifle and unlawful possession of 18 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition.

The court heard that the Belgian-made weapon is capable of firing 650 to 700 rounds of ammunition per minute and has a range of 1000 metres.

Prosecutors said the firearm is so powerful that the only ballistic vests able to withstand its rounds are level three vests specifically designed with hard amour plates – equipment that is not available to police or defence force personnel in Antigua and Barbuda.

Walker received four years and four months for possession of the firearm and two years for possession of ammunition. Both sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve the longer sentence of four years and four months.