Independent Senator Reverend Dr John Rogers has warned that Barbados’ escalating gun violence cannot be solved by legislation alone, arguing that it reflects deeper failures within the family, education system and church.

In debate on the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill, Senator Rogers supported the creation of a new court and the appointment of additional judges to ease criminal case backlogs. But, he said such measures address only the symptoms of a wider social crisis.

“I’ve pointed that out because it segues into this bill that we’re dealing with here and what some people consider to be the underlying challenges, and that is the underlying societal issues,” Senator Rogers said.