Holness moves to refine, strengthen Firearms Act after meeting with lawyers

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has directed that the legal reform committee review concerns raised about the Firearms Act, including fears that children found with toy or imitation guns could be unjustly treated.

The directive followed a meeting on Friday at the Office of the Prime Minister with representatives of the Jamaica Bar Association and the Advocates Association, who had requested talks on the legislation.

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the lawyers argued that aspects of the Act create room for unjust treatment and asked for judicial discretion to be allowed in such cases.