‘Fallacious!’

NOTED defence attorney Peter Champagnie, King’s Counsel, has described as “fallacious” recent assertions by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck that the 2022 Firearms Act is being credited by members of the security forces and other key stakeholders for the sharp decline in murders and shootings in recent times.

Addressing members of the judiciary attending the 2026 Assize Church Service at East Queen Street Baptist Church on Sunday, Chuck said, “I am aware that in the Firearms Act you have mandatory [minimum] sentences. It is a matter that is being examined but I can tell you that, from where I sit, the security forces and a number of my colleagues feel that the Act is working and it is bringing down murders and shootings. It is under consideration, but firearms are a major problem in our country and that is why we don’t want to send a signal that we are going to relent on the enforcement to condemn the possession and the use of firearms. But it is under consideration”.

The Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, 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.