KAY-MARIE FLETCHER
Senior Reporter
kay-marie.fletcher@guardian.co.tt
In light of the recent spate of home invasions in central Trinidad, some independent senators believe that access to legal firearms for citizens who may qualify for it should be made easier.
Independent Senator Anthony Vieira says the provisions regarding firearms has been around for quite some time and may not be as effective today.
Speaking with Guardian Media outside Parliament yesterday, Vieira said the process should be reviewed.
“I don’t know if an ease of making firearms readily available is a solution or if it actually may cause more problems... If we’re talking about reviewing firearms access, I think we should do it holistically, look at criteria, look at security measures and also whether we should have a panel to investigate and make those decisions,” he said.
Similarly, Independent Senator Courtney McNish said the speed at which firearm users’ licenses (FULs) are granted needs to be addressed.
Also speaking to Guardian Media before entering the Senate yesterday, McNish said, “I think the measures that are necessary to do the checks on character and fitness to hold a firearm user’s license is still required. There must, however, be something done to speed up that process. It takes far, far, far too long. Speed, however, must not take priority over the procedure.”
The senator’s comments come two weeks after Defence Minister Wayne Sturge said homeowners should have the right to own firearms, as he revealed the Government was seeking to address the prevalence of home invasions and its impact on law-abiding citizens.
“Imagine you’re unable to defend your family, prevent your wife or your daughters from being subjected to rape and things like that,” he said.
He added, “My own view is that we should adopt the American system. If you own property, you should be entitled as a right to a firearm, except in certain situations.”
