“There is absolutely no legitimate reason to be in possession of an illegal firearm. The only reason a person is in possession of an illegal firearm is to kill somebody.” – National Security Minister, Stuart Young.
With a murder toll of 455 as of November 11th, the National Security Minister on Tuesday made a point of debating the Bail Amendment(2) Act, which seeks to deny bail to anyone charged with possession of an illegal firearm, where the weapon is a prohibited weapon listed under the Firearms Act, even though the charge is a first offence.
Speaking in the Senate, Mr. Young reminded his cohorts that nine AR15s were seized in Belmont earlier this year and in Diego martin a few weeks later, eight AR15s were seized in Four Roads. He said no bullet proof vest could protect anyone from the effects of being shot with such a weapon.
841 guns have been taken off the street in this country, to date this year. Minister Young said Trinidad and Tobago is becoming like a war zone, highlighting that for the year to date, 80.2 percent of the country’s murders have been committed with firearms.
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has called on Government to review the laws governing bail for charges relating to assault weapons. His call came after a 19-year-old who was held with a weapon, was granted bail.
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