Naparima MP Rodney Charles has criticised the Prime Minister for not seeing the benefit of the UNC proposed “stand your ground legislation.”
During the UNC’s weekly press conference on Sunday, Charles said the PM Dr Keith Rowley and his Government were incapable of coming up with well-reasoned policies to arrest crime.
He challenged Rowley and his government to bring an alternative policy to stand your ground “that makes sense.
Charles said the Opposition Leader has put forward a policy initiative and he asked whether the PM was satisfied with the present state of home invasions and the status quo.
Regarding the Kamla Persad-Bissessar controversial call to make Firearm Users Licenses more easily accessible to law-abiding citizens and that people should “light up” the criminals involved in home invasions, Charles said he “fully supports” his leader’s desire to level the playing field.
He said Persad-Bissessar should be congratulated for starting a conversation on “a most important matter” of home and business invasions.
“Many law-abiding businessmen and women have been waiting for years for licensed firearms. They are at the mercy of the police’s bureaucracy and at the mercy of all criminals who have guns, illegal guns. So I support her call,” Charles said.
He reiterated that Persad-Bissessar has also promised legislation to Parliament to create a specific criminal offence of home invasion.
“This will involve increasing the sentences for larceny, burglary, serious assault, unlawful entry to your properties, whether it be your home or your business, and that you will be able to use force without retreating,” Charles said.