The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

There is an ongoing debate on the Talk shows about the Minister of National Security and his Junior Minister carrying handguns. A lot of what is being said requires clarification, which I will endeavour to do in this letter. The issue of licences and certificates for shotguns and rifles is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police. The Assistant Commissioner Crime Management is empowered to do so. In fact the Firearms Licensing Office is under the administration of the Assistant Commissioner. Such firearms are issued for sports, such as hunting, trap shooting and target shooting. In the past decades there were very active groups in The Bahamas involved in shooting as a sport. All applications for handguns are processed by the Commissioner of Police through the office of the Assistant Commissioner-Crime Management, with reports and recommendations sent with the applications to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet for a decision. If approved the license is signed and issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Commissioner. The latter has no authority to issue handguns to persons, other than members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The reports submitted indicate whether the applicants are qualified to own and carry such weapons. The reporting Police Officers given information on character, demeanor, general conduct and provisions made for the safekeeping of the weapons. There is no provision made for the testing of the applicant’s qualification to use the weapons. There is the need for an indoor range for training of law enforcement officers. There is a location in Police Headquarters where such a range could be provided. It could be used by private citizens for practice and by the Firearms Licensing Authority for having applicants qualify.

On the issue of the ministers being armed, I am confident of the ability and disciple of the Hon Keith Bell, a former Superintendent of Police, who was trained and has the required disciple and experience. He is going to be proactive in war on crime and needs to carry a firearm. In all other cases I fear for those persons, who do not have the experience, the discipline and the training. It is a great responsibility for those persons with young boys in the home or who are usually careless with their possessions. Guns left lying around have been the cause of many tragic deaths in the United States in the hands of children.

What is bothersome in this matter is the fact that the information with regards of the issue of the handguns to the ministers has been publicised.

PAUL THOMPSON Sr

Nassau,

June 2012.