TOUGHER GUN LAWS

A month after defence attorneys mounted an islandwide silent protest and scaled back their services over what they described as “shortcomings” in the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022 (Firearms Act), the National Security Council (NSC) has recommended that individuals convicted of illegal possession of a firearm should now face a new minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck was flayed in mid-September after he indicated that while legislators are set to review the mandatory minimum sentences under the 2022 Firearms Act, a repeal is unlikely as security forces and other key stakeholders are crediting the law for the sharp decline in murders and shootings in recent times.

Full coverageJamaican Defence Lawyers Withdraw Court Services Over Firearms Act Sentencing Rules53 reports

The current Firearms Act, which prescribes a mandatory 15-year sentence for violations, took effect in November 2022 and, among other things, provides penalties ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment for possession of illegal weapons, and establishes a dual regime — distinguishing between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms and connected activities, and firearms that are duly authorised or registered.