Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson says 63 men and seven women were charged between November 1 and December 20 under the new Firearms Act.
He was speaking at a media briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.
Antony Anderson said the majority of individuals charged are between the ages of 16 and 30.
Jamaica’s Senate passed the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction, and Regulation) Act with 17 amendments on September 23.
The legislation tabled in January creates a dual regime that will distinguish between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms, the activities associated with them, and firearms that have been duly authorized or registered.
It also outlines the goals of establishing a framework that prohibits the illicit trade of firearms and ammunition and views possession of those prohibited firearms and ammunition as the foundation for other heinous and violent crimes.
The new Firearms Act imposes penalties ranging from 15 years to life in prison.
A two-week gun amnesty was instituted in November to allow persons to hand in illegal weapons. Under the amnesty, illegal guns could be surrendered to a sub-officer or senior sub-officer on duty at any police station; any designated officer at an FLA location; or an attorney-at-law or pastor on behalf of an individual requesting amnesty.
The amnesty period began Saturday, November 5, and ended at midnight Saturday, November 19.
