Jess files formal questions in Parliament over ‘flawed’ Firearms Act

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Justice, Zuleika Jess, on Tuesday submitted a formal notice of questions for oral answer to the Clerk of the Houses of Parliament, summoning Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck to provide answers regarding what she has described as a flawed Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act.

According to Jess, in a press release on Wednesday, this move by the Opposition is to force immediate amendments to the legislation. This also follows Wednesday’s silent protest by Jamaica’s legal fraternity outside the Supreme Court.

“The Opposition stands in absolute, unwavering solidarity with the attorneys, advocates, and jurists who took to the streets today. Their silent demonstration exposes a deep, systemic crisis: the complete stripping away of judicial discretion and the imposition of a merciless 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. This statutory rigidity has completely paralysed the plea-bargaining process, removing any legal incentive for defendants to plead guilty and risks drowning the Gun Court in an unmanageable trial backlog,” the Opposition said.