Gun amnesty ends, not so gun murders

The 91-day National Firearm Amnesty proclaimed by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF),came to an end on May 31. The aim of the amnesty which began on March 1, 2024, was to reduce the number of illegal firearms and ammunition in the hands of citizens, a serious concern given the number of gun murders in recent years. It was the second such amnesty in recent years, the previous one having been in operation between February 1 to June 30, 2003.

A release from the Police stated that the latest amnesty resulted in the surrender of some 18 firearms and more than 300 rounds of ammunition. The Police, aiming to encourage the cooperation of the public, had given conditions promising no prosecution and complete anonymity for those who surrendered such weapons. While welcoming the handing over of the 18 weapons, as being “18 less” available to cause harm to the public, the RSVGPF have promised a more detailed report and analysis later.

This is not surprising, for it is important that we do not rush to premature conclusions especially by persons with political or personal aims. In the first place we ought not to have had any illusions as to the number of firearms which would have been surrendered under such arrangements. It was always going to be unrealistic to expect those deeply involved in violent crime to surrender their illegal weapons.

Those who have set out on this path, consciously or unconsciously, need such weapons as their “stock in trade”. They are powerless without their weapons of enforcement and ultimately, protection. Thus, it is more than likely that such weapons may have come from law-abiding citizens who had acquired them possibly for personal protection and who, for one reason or another, did not go through the legal channels.

In the meantime, since the amnesty has ended, we have had another fatal shooting of a civilian. The circumstances are not clear, but even this early, we can safely conclude that it must have been via an illegal weapon. There are those who would rush to conclusions, quick to brand the amnesty a failure and the like. Let us be patient.

What the public would like to see is that if any of those who ignored the amnesty opportunity is brought before the courts and found guilty of possession of illegal firearms, then the full weight of the law must be brought to bear. Not only will this give citizens the reassurance that the consequences are serious but also send a strong warning to possible offenders. The police have said they have a zero tolerance to illegal firearm possession and are resolute in their posture on this matter. We must not relent.