CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
A recent uptick in arrests and custodial sentences for possession of illegal firearms has led to more individuals voluntarily surrendering their weapons, according to Cabinet spokesperson Ambassador Lionel Hurst.
Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Hurst said the enforcement of stricter gun laws is having a measurable impact.
“Since the arrest and jailing of at least two fellas—two men who are law-abiding—we’ve seen an increase in the number of surrendered firearms,” he stated.
He noted that in the past, those caught with illegal firearms often faced fines and confiscation. “Before what would happen is, if you’re found with an unlicensed firearm, you would lose your firearm and, of course, you would pay a fine to the court,” Hurst explained.
However, recent sentencing decisions have shifted public perception.
“They’re actually putting people in jail as a consequence,” he said.
“These are law-abiding people, at least two of them that I’ve been told about, who would normally not engage in any criminal activity but they were found with unlicensed firearms and they were sentenced to at least two years in prison.”
Hurst said the government’s aim is to make Antigua and Barbuda safer through deterrence.
“Every unlicensed firearm that is surrendered to the police in Antigua and Barbuda makes Antigua and Barbuda a safer place in which to live and to grow and to raise your children—and that objective is being achieved.”
He added that women were rarely involved in such offences and suggested that the fear of imprisonment is motivating men to turn in their weapons.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
People are finally realizing the risk isn’t worth it. Better to turn them in than end up behind bars.
Gun violence has affected too many families.
What about programs to help young people stay out of that life in the first place? Whats going with the Boys Center?
I wonder if there’s a buy-back program. That might encourage even more people to surrender.
This is what happens when people start feeling the law catching up to them.
“These are law-abiding people” but if they are, how come they are in possession of illegal firearms?
That is the reason why we have been asking for stronger penalties against violent crimes for a long time now. The current penalties are still a bit weak. You should have not reason to have a silencer and yet Pompey suggesting Governor General Pardon. For 99 rounds of illegal ammunition, it should be a year for each bullet.
At first I felt pity for those caught and sentence with such harsh penalties of four years in prison. But then again I thought, they were given amnesty and still hold on to their firearms. And the sad thing is there are alternatives weapons to use to protect yourself if you are not allowed to get a legal license for a fire arm. Use maze, get a good agressive trained watch dog. intall cameras around your property. So I pleading to those who still think they can keep their unlicense fire arm in their possession. Please think again. Is it worth going to jail for four years or more if you get caught.
Fabian Jones was robbed at gun point and shots fired. Is that how crime in Antigua is on the decline ?