New policy to clamp down on illegal firearms

NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Senator Dwight Nelson has announced the development of a national small-arms policy, as part of efforts to stem the flow of illegal firearms into Jamaica.

Nelson said on Tuesday at a forensic technology workshop, held at the University of the West Indies Mona campus that the vast majority of murders - more than 70 per cent committed in the country by the gun - has triggered the engagement of a consultant to develop such a policy.

The data suggested that although serious criminal activities had decreased by up to 44 per cent, the gun was still the weapon of choice of marauding gunmen bent on unleashing their firepower on their enemies and the innocent.

He said 64 per cent of robberies were also committed with guns.

"It appears that this trend is continuing this year as, between January and the end of July, 69 per cent of persons killed were killed with guns. Similarly, 66 per cent of robberies were committed using guns," Nelson stressed.

He said the number of guns recovered is not commensurate with the number of gun crimes committed. "Last year, we had 1,081 persons killed by the gun, and 1,806 persons being victims of robberies committed with guns, yet, only 685 guns were recovered.

"This is believed to be a very small fraction of what currently exists in the hands of criminals, particularly those persons involved in organised crime, transnational drug trafficking, extortion, contract killings, human trafficking, sale of weapons etc," Nelson told the gathering.

Merging acts

Given the prevalence of guns in the society, Nelson revealed that the consultant would focus on merging the Firearms and the Explosive acts.

"Both the new legislation and the policy will account for the collection and use of crime-scene evidence using the forensic technology that you will be exposed to in this workshop," Nelson said.

He added: "The bottom line is that, if we are going to effectively tackle crime, we must be able to solve gun crimes and successfully prosecute perpetrators."

Nelson also disclosed that the Organised Crime Bill specifically targeting gang activities, was near completion, and being examined by the legislative committee.

"The combination of this policy and legislative framework should provide both the police and the prosecutors with the ability to garner substantial evidence that will lead to successful arrests and prosecution," the minister said.

Meanwhile, speaking later at a media briefing at the ministry's New Kingston offices, Nelson said the services of an international consultant with "wide and vast" experience in small-arms policy have been engaged.

The briefing was held jointly with head of the United States Southern Military Command (SOUTHCOM), General Douglas Fraser, to reaffirm collaboration between the US and Jamaica in the fight against crime and violence in the Caribbean and Latin America, involving SOUTHCOM and the Jamaica Defence Force.

The briefing formed part of the itinerary for the two-day visit by General Fraser, who arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday.