A TWO-week gun amnesty will begin this weekend in Jamaica, as a way to get illegal firearms off the streets.
The 14-day gun amnesty will begin on Saturday 5 November, and will end at midnight on Saturday, 19 November.
The announcement comes as the new Firearms Prohibition and Restriction Act 2022, which aims to ensure harsher penalties are given to those convicted of gun offences, came into effect.
National Security Minister Horace Chang is urging citizens to use the amnesty as a way to get rid of weapons in a safe manner.
“The object of this amnesty is to have those individuals surrender their firearms,” said Chang.
The amnesty will allow people who might be in possession of an unregistered or illegal firearm or ammunition to hand in the weapon without fear of prosecution.
During the amnesty, those who disclose the location of ammunition or a firearm will not be prosecuted.
However, once the two-week amnesty comes to an end, Mr Chang said those who possess an illegal gun “can expect the full force of the law to apply.”
According to local media, in 2021, roughly 342 guns were seized along with nearly 5,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.
In June, The Jamaica Observer reported that both figures have been surpassed with 376 illegal guns and 7,511 rounds of ammunition being recovered.
Those wishing to take part in the amnesty are being urged to contact the police or a lawyer.
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Malcolm X famously said American people of African heritage were prevented from having a bank account, so how could Caucasian Americans blame African Americans for importing the drugs that was destroying the minds of the youth of America?
Today I ask does Jamaica manufactures guns and bullets?
The question that needs answering is why is it so easy for the youth of Jamaica to access firearms?