Lawyers protest mandatory minimum sentences under Firearms Act

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Defence attorneys on Wednesday staged a silent protest outside the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston, calling for a review of the mandatory sentencing provisions of the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022.

Dressed in black, the attorneys marched silently while carrying placards bearing messages including, “Tough on guns: yes. Tough on children: no.”

The demonstration follows mounting concerns within sections of the legal profession over the Act’s mandatory minimum sentencing provisions, particularly the restriction they place on judicial discretion. The Opposition People’s National Party has also raised concerns about aspects of the legislation.