The selective handing over of Firearms, and the wider issue of a Society worth living in

Comments made by a senior lawyer as he mitigated on behalf of his client at the Serious Offences Court on April 20, has again thrown into sharp focus the vexing issue of the illegal possession of firearms and their use in the commission of violent crimes. In our April 30 edition, we reported that lawyer, Grant Connell cautioned in court that people who are willing to hand over an illegal gun to the police, have to be careful to which police officer it is given as the possibility exists that it may return to the streets. The background was the particular case at hand; a plea by him for a non-custodial sentence, and the position of the State that the weapon in question could have been handed over to the police.

Without being specific with names, the comments immediately drew sharp comments from the upper echelons of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. Our Commissioner of Police, Enville Williams, was quick in his defense of the men and women under his command, as one would expect him to be. His position is that evidence supporting the statements made in court should be given to the police for investigation and possible action, if necessary. One does not expect that a responsible lawyer, or other officer of the court will make statements in a cavalier manner; and one also understands the concern by the commissioner regarding the integrity of that disciplined organisation.

The public utterances, however, point to the continuing vexed issue of the apparent growing prevalence of illegal firearms possession, their very public use to commit crime, and the impact these actions are having on our communities. Ridding this nation of illegal firearms is not an issue only for the police, it is one which every right thinking and responsible citizen of our country supports.

This matter also was uppermost on the agenda of local law enforcement when a firearms amnesty went into effect on March 1, and was extended to last for a period of 90 days ending May 31. This was complemented by a series of community consultations, which the police considered to be vital in their connection with the people they are charged to serve and protect.

One common thread flowing from these various people contacts was the stated reticence of individuals to provide information to the police, which is of such seminal importance in the conduct of their investigations into crime. Lack of confidentiality was a recurring utterance from the people to the police.

Little wonder then that the turning in of 18 illegal firearms and 327 rounds of ammunition was the totality of the response to the amnesty, a haul that the police considered to be a success, inasmuch as those weapons were no longer in the hands of potential criminal elements. While not intimating at attempts to tarnish the name of the RSVGPF, the police force nevertheless acknowledge on an almost daily basis that there is a problem of public/police trust given that in its information bulletins issued, there is always the appeal to members of the public who may have information about the particular matter under investigation, to provide such to an officer with whom they feel comfortable engaging. We support the efforts of our police force in their difficult task to preserve law and order in our state. We, however, must note that our responsible task is to accurately report on matters before the court – and elsewhere. The police are now again reminded of the confidence issue, and this must be always in their view as they undertake the enormous task of keeping our nation safe. The commissioner, his men and women need to know that there are thousands who are rooting for them to succeed. For we will have no nation worth living in if the cancerous growth of illegal guns and gun violence is not eradicated from our midst – and that is the bigger issue.