Jamaican police have charged 187 people for violating the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act that could result in penalties ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment.
“Since the new Act came into effect, just about 348 charges have been laid against 187 persons for various offences. For January, 131 charges have been laid against 75 persons under this Act, “said Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson.
The legislation establishes a dual regime, distinguishing between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms and activities connected thereto, and firearms that are duly authorized or registered.
It also outlines the objectives that speak to establishing a framework that prohibits firearms and ammunition that are illicitly traded, and which regards possession of those prohibited firearms and ammunition as the foundation on which other heinous and violent crimes are committed.
Breaches of the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, which is now in effect, will result in penalties ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment, and Anderson noted that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), through local and international partnerships, seized 796 weapons in 2022, the highest gun seizure since 2017.
“Since February 4, 130 illegal guns have been seized, which is a 24 percent increase over the corresponding period of last year. The collaboration with our local and international partners extends to all areas of transnational organized crimes.”
Illegal firearms feature in 85 percent of murders and violent crimes committed across the island. Last year, Jamaica recorded 1498 murders in 2022 and so far this year, the authorities said 86 people have been killed as compared to 137 last year.
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