The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of Bahamians have banded together to form the Bahamas Firearms Association (BFA), a non-profit organisation specifically aimed at the training and education of gun owners.

Spokesman of the BFA Ben Albury said yesterday that with criminals obtaining illegal firearms to harm honest and upstanding Bahamians, the formation of the body is timely as crime increases.

He explained that there are also plans to more thoroughly develop and explore firearm use for recreation and competitive activities. The BFA is expected to petition the government for a parcel of land to build the appropriate facilities.

Mr Albury, who has continuously urged the government to honour laws regarding the rights of Bahamians to carry firearms, spoke to The Tribune following the Association’s first meeting on Tuesday night. Around 100 businessmen and other members of the public gathered to support the effort.

“There is a great need to protect our rights (to bear arms) and in doing that gun owners should be able to have somewhere – a shooting range or facility to learn the proper handling of a firearm. There is also a desire to be able to work with the government in that regard where people can go and use their guns without interfering with the safety of other people,” Mr Albury said.

“The criminals are obtaining weapons and doing it illegally, they know how to use the weapons they are carrying. So what about those of us who are granted the permission to own them? We should know how to use them properly. Education, safety and protection is our main focus.”

“Saying that, we have no problem with the existing laws, but we’ll also be lobbying for the government to ensure that the laws are being abided by and are clearcut and definitive.”

Mr Albury urged Bahamians to assist in whichever way possible to assist in successfully establishing the BFA.

A Facebook page and website will be created this week.