Jamaica proposes 20-year minimum sentence for illegal gun possession
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica’s National Security Council (NSC) has recommended increasing the mandatory minimum sentence for illegal firearm possession from 15 to 20 years in prison as part of proposed amendments to the country’s firearms legislation.
- The recommendation was announced in a statement from the Office of the Cabinet on Sunday, more than a month after criminal defense attorneys protested the existing minimum sentence, arguing that judges should have the flexibility to impose penalties based on the circumstances of individual cases.
- The proposed amendments to the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, would also create a new criminal offense for adults who groom children to use, store, transport or acquire illegal firearms.
- “This is necessary to address the gap whereby gangs seek to recruit and enlist minors in the commission of gun crimes,” the statement said.
- The NSC, chaired by Prime Minister Dr.
Jamaica’s National Security Council (NSC) has recommended increasing the mandatory minimum sentence for illegal firearm possession from 15 to 20 years in prison as part of proposed amendments to the country’s firearms legislation.
The recommendation was announced in a statement from the Office of the Cabinet on Sunday, more than a month after criminal defense attorneys protested the existing minimum sentence, arguing that judges should have the flexibility to impose penalties based on the circumstances of individual cases.
The proposed amendments to the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, would also create a new criminal offense for adults who groom children to use, store, transport or acquire illegal firearms.
“This is necessary to address the gap whereby gangs seek to recruit and enlist minors in the commission of gun crimes,” the statement said.
The NSC, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, also agreed that further consideration should be given to how cases involving children found with illegal firearms are handled.
The proposed legislation would address concerns about imitation firearms by distinguishing between toy guns and weapons designed to realistically resemble actual firearms. It would also examine issues involving firearms with expired licenses.
The Ministry of National Security and Peace has been directed to prepare draft legislation incorporating the proposed amendments by the end of November 2026 for wider consultations, according to the statement.
Before the new provisions take effect, the government plans to introduce a gun amnesty and cash buyback program to allow people holding illegal firearms to surrender them.
Holness said the proposed changes were intended to strengthen the law while protecting vulnerable people.
“We are determined to send a strong signal against illegal guns and those who promote them, while making sure the law is fair to the most vulnerable,” he said.
The NSC said the recommendations form part of the government’s effort to make the firearms law tougher while protecting the innocent and vulnerable.
