Chuck to meet with protesting lawyers over Firearms Act discontent

JUSTICE Minister Delroy Chuck on Wednesday voiced disappointment with the protest action taken by members of the defence bar to show discontent with the 2022 Firearms Act, but said it is hoped that a meeting scheduled for 2:00 pm today will help stave off further plans by the attorneys to abandon the courts all of next week if their demands are not met.

“I am really disappointed that members of the Jamaican Bar Association and the Advocates’ Association have taken the action today by demonstrating around the Supreme Court. On Sunday, September 13 during the Assize service I indicated that the matter was under consideration and told the association that I was prepared to meet with them,” the justice minister said.

In referencing the pending meeting today, he said the “government is very concerned about the prevalence of gun crimes and the need to protect law-abiding citizens of this country but remains open to dialogue on the Firearms Act 2022”.