By Tahna Weston
The Firearms Amendment Bill has passed the committee stage and is expected to be debated in the Senate when it is convened.
This Bill seeks to send a strong message to criminals and would-be criminals that the government is serious about tackling crime, especially those involving firearms.
Therefore, the sentences have been increased and even minor firearm offences can now result in up to five years imprisonment.
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin said stricter punishments are for offences including possession of a gun, possession of firearm and ammunition, selling and transferring guns and ammo, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to injure, and it also covers the use of imitation firearms.
All Saints East and St Luke MP Jamale Pringle supported the Bill, however, citing that after witnessing an increase in the number of crimes being committed with firearms, it is important to know from where these weapons are coming.
Pringle said that the government needs to beef up security at the respective ports of entry to stem the illegal importing of weapons.
“And I think it’s necessary for us to critically analyze that situation, and work feverishly to cut down on the importation of illegal firearms into Antigua and Barbuda, and that is my concern Mr Speaker.
“I believe it’s necessary, if it’s to beef up the security at the airport and customs and down Deep Water Harbour, and also Mr Speaker it is critical for us to find creative ways to beef-up our borders so that we can eradicate the illegal acquisition of firearms in Antigua and Barbuda,” Pringle said.
Barbuda MP Trevor Walker who also supported the Bill said that the time will come when the parliament will have to categorise firearms. He made reference to a case in Jamaica during which a seven-year-old boy was found with a semi-automatic machine gun.
“If those types of things start happening in Antigua and Barbuda we’d have to start to categorize firearms so that penalties can be more severe for certain types of firearms if they catch you with it,” Walker said
He continued, “I think that we have to start to put deterrence on every single category of illegal firearms in this country.”
St Peter MP Asot Michael was concerned about the penalty for those involved in the selling of firearms, which based on the amendment is four years.
Michael said that the seller is deemed, in many cases, to be a trafficker and has the financial means and thus should face a stiffer term of imprisonment. He suggested five or seven years.
Licensed firearm holders who violate the terms of their license now face fines up to five years imprisonment on summary conviction, and up to 15 years on indictment.
Unlicensed firearm possession carries a penalty of five years on summary conviction and up to 25 years on indictment.
Meanwhile, illegally purchasing, transferring, or selling firearms can now result in five years imprisonment on summary conviction and up to 20 years on indictment.
Carrying a firearm in public without proper authorization can lead to imprisonment for up to five years. The penalty for injuring a person with a firearm has been set at up to 20 years imprisonment.
