Stiffer penalties coming for firearm crimes– PM

Minister of National Security and Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves has issued a warning that stiffer penalties are coming for firearms related offences in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

At present, there is a gun amnesty in place which began on March 1, 2024, and ends on May 31.

Holders of illegal firearms and ammunition therefore have been given a 92 day grace period to hand in these items.

Prime Minister Gonsalves is warning that when the amnesty ends, there will be tougher penalties for crimes committed with the use of illegal guns.

The prime minister told listeners to NBC radio on Wednesday, that this change will come after Parliament meets on Thursday April, 4, 2024.

“We are increasing the penalties in respect of firearms.”

Dr Gonsalves explained that the new legislation relates to firearms and ammunition offences, along with some new offences.

The Prime Minister called on mothers, grandmothers and other close relatives to encourage persons in their families to turn in their guns before the amnesty ends.

He warned that the new law “will come into being as the amnesty comes to an end.”

“So when somebody gets 18 months now for illegal possession of a firearm, after the law comes in, you get four years.”

The prime minister explained as well that similarly, for a firearm offence that lands a three year jail sentence currently, that penalty could be doubled under the new legislation.

He warned that persons who get themselves involved in such crimes are either going to end up dead, or in jail, and he said this could happen “sooner rather than later.”

With the majority of gun crimes being committed by young males, the Prime Minister said “some of these young males who turn to violence, are seeking to be somebody”.

He however noted that they need not seek to be somebody by using a gun, knife or cutlass.

“Be somebody by working hard and smart,” the Prime Minister urged.

In his appeal to young males on Wednesday,Dr Gonsalves reminded them that bad men are “doomed to damnation.”

Instead of a life of crime, he called on young males to learn a skill and take advantage of the opportunities that are available for personal development.