101 firearms, 3,000 rounds of ammunition surrendered throughout Jamaica’s gun amnesty
A complete of 101 firearms and three,000 rounds of ammunition have been handed over to the authorities beneath the two-week gun amnesty, which ended final weekend, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has disclosed.
The amnesty, which began on November 5, ended at midnight on November 19.
Holness reminded Jamaicans that the amnesty was launched to offer individuals who could also be in possession of an unlawful or unregistered firearm, whether or not criminally or in any other case acquired, the final alternative to keep away from vital sentences enshrined within the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022.
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“It has surpassed my expectations, however there are nonetheless many extra, 1000’s extra unlawful firearms in our nation and to not point out unlawful ammunition,” he advised the Home of Representatives.
He disclosed that numerous the firearms turned in got here from people who haven’t licensed the weapons for a number of years or who could have inherited them and didn’t hassle to get them regularized.
“The amnesty was vital to offer these individuals a possibility to dispose of those weapons with out having to bear the implications of the brand new penalties beneath the brand new Act,” Holness famous.
The prime minister reported that in the course of the interval of the amnesty, the safety forces recovered 22 unlawful firearms, noting {that a} 15-year-old was amongst these caught with unlawful weapons.
“That 15-year-old was within the firm of a 23-year-old. These are among the harsh penalties that the society has to face,” Holness stated.
“Despite the fact that all of us need to be sure that our younger individuals are protected, the details are that our younger males, specifically, have been sucked right into a gun tradition. I’m sorry for him, and I wanted that he didn’t should face this destiny, however we’ve to place our ft down firmly.”
CMC/