Prime Minister Gaston Browne is calling for significantly harsher penalties for gun-related offences following the killing of two teenagers in Villa, arguing that lenient sentences are weakening efforts to curb violent crime.
“We’re doing all we can to even put away those who have guns or were involved in gun crimes,” Browne told state media, adding that the courts are “not working with us” and are handing down sentences that are too light.
Browne, who is also the parliamentary representative for the area, said individuals involved in gun crimes should face lengthy prison terms to serve as a deterrent.
“People involved in gun crimes should be put away for a long time… if you’re involved in a gun crime, you’re going to jail for at least 10 years,” he said.
He questioned why offenders are sometimes receiving sentences as low as 18 months or one year despite legislative efforts to increase penalties.
“How can you justifiably give people 18 months and one year?” Browne asked, suggesting that decisions at both trial and appellate levels are undermining public policy.
While acknowledging the independence of the judiciary, Browne said there is a “fundamental problem” when court rulings conflict with the government’s strategy to address gun violence.
He urged judges to apply the laws as intended and warned that continued leniency could have wider consequences for public safety across the region.
“You need to step up… stop allowing these situations where you are literally reducing sentences for gun crimes,” Browne said.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come as police continue investigations into the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Brianna Clark and her boyfriend, Omari Lewis, in Villa on Thursday.
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GB please consider clarifying the statement you made about hot firearms.
Thieving unlicensed firearms.
You know when someone says it’s hot stuff or the items are hot meaning they thief dem.
Gaston really? So the crime occurred in your area and u jump up with all the 7 day speech? What happened to the other areas where murders are happening. U forget the over 150 murders that are still unsolved. Jus gimme a break wid ya bag ah crap talk and do sudden worthwhile. Go to the King and say u wan fah start bruk people neck again or offer an alternative execution method. Otherwise jus hush!!
You are not fit to lead. You are incompetent, confused and not of sound mind. You claim that you’ve got the trust of the people because of your policies and this mess and others are some of the results. Do you think that you can ever comfort the families of the victims of gun crimes, after your reckless, callous and irresponsible statement? It’s not impossible that some of these guns were acquired after the previous holders discarded them ‘however they saw fit’. I don’t believe that you care one bit and that’s the sad part.
what UPP has to say?
Me Gaston is going to exploit this crisis for political gains, after all it’s election now. Oops I forget that I told the youth to deal with them hot firearms themselves because I won’t let the police come after you. Look have your spliff also.
Well said Prime Minister Browne. It is now up to the Attorney General to figure out how you can start implementing Minimum Sentences instead of the nonsense that we have now.
I understand that we claim to have an independent Judiciary but there must be something that can be done to stop this wanton destruction of our society being enabled by these judges. Would it need a referendum or something?
I’m not a lawyer so I’m just guessing.
Also the police force needs an overhaul.
From my experience, in jamaica, many strange things happen around the pre election time
People please remember that we are a small country
Please try to exercise a heightened awareness of self and surroundings
Condolences to the Villa community
A Still Tongue keepeth a wise head
Somebody should load the clip not in a gun but in an audio playback machine when the words about getting rid of hot guns were mentioned by a politician.
Some political prostitutes don’t have any children so, they say whatever they like on social media. In real life, people’s children are being murdered and, the judiciary is blamed for light incarceration? Really? The problem is, the guns are still coming and ending up in certain places then, in the hands of our little black fools, to kill each other. The authorities need to stop the source, a deal with the perpetrators who, I believe are well known.
The Master of deflection is currently focusing on the lenient sentencing from the judiciary, when he well an know that the priority at hand at present is for the Prime Minister to tackle rising gun crimes immediately.
He talks about security cameras, when 24/7 police patrols are the necessity. Browne’s dereliction of duty is there for all to witness.
Browne thinks that by highlighting the weaknesses of the judiciary exempts him from his Prime Ministerial obligations to address and protect the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda.
Browne continues to hoodwink the many, but he cannot fool the few who critique him…
Stop deflecting and protect us now!
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