Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley has signalled plans to push for tougher penalties for violent public offences, saying the Public Order Act no longer reflects the seriousness of crimes such as the Grand Kadooment 2017 mass shooting.

Recalling the incident which was considered Barbados’ first ever mass shooting, he pointed out that all of the accused men had been charged with violent disorder, “although firearms were used”.

This state of affairs demands comprehensive reform of the 1970 law governing public meetings, processions, and the maintenance of peace in public spaces, Lashley told lawmakers. The act created an offence of violent disorder carrying a certain level of penalties for those convicted, which he suggested was now not enough for some offences.