UNC MP Roodal Moonilal has called on Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher to explain the policy, procedure and practice used to receive firearms from citizens—including from Energy Minister Stuart Young.
Moonilal did so yesterday, after Young last Sunday denied Moonilal’s claim that he’d surrendered an “automatic” weapon to the police. Moonilal had showed pictures of the type of pistol, calling it an “assault weapon”.
But Young said he’d never been in possession of an automatic firearm. He said the possession and disposal of any legal firearm must be authorised and approved by a Commissioner of Police and he could confirm that he, in fact, donated a legal weapon to the TTPS.
Young said at all times, he abided by T&T’s laws, adding his action was of his own volition and he stood by it. He didn’t reply on the specifics of the reason for the action.
Yesterday, however, Moonilal, claiming Young “confessed after being smoked out”, said the CoP should indicate how many private citizens had donated their legal firearms to the TTPS over the past 10 years and under what circumstances.
Moonilal reiterated that Young must answer (a), why he went to the Police Armoury and not his district police station, as required to dispose the gun; (b) if Young took the firearm himself and didn’t illegally transfer it to someone else to take it for him; (c) why exactly he chose to return a firearm after allegedly “recently” acquiring it; (d) when he applied to the CoP to dispose of his weapon; (e) when the CoP gave permission to dispose of it; (f) when Young received the gun licence; (g) the weapon’s purchase date; (h) price, brand model and serial number; (i) when registered; (j) if Young was the only owner; (k) if recalibrated and if so, the nature of this; (l) if ever used and under what circumstances; (m) how many guns Young possesses and why; and, (n) what about the weapon caused him to give TTPS.
Young didn’t immediately reply to Guardian Media’s queries on Moonilal’s statement yesterday.
Meanwhile, NTA leader Gary Griffith yesterday called for an urgent comprehensive investigation into Young’s admission that he “donated” a legally owned firearm to the TTPS.
Griffith said people holding Firearm Users Licences (FUL) aren’t authorised to “donate” their firearms, but there exists a formal procedure for disposing of firearms through the use of a disposal form.
He added that there is nothing in T&T laws which classifies anything as an “assault weapon”.
“Firearms are generally categorised as either semi-automatic or automatic. This distinction is why handguns, rifles and even shotguns which are issued to farmers are informally referred to as ‘assault weapons.’ Only law enforcement entities and personnel, not civilians like Minister Young, can be issued automatic weapons by the CoP. It is the reason why it is ignorant for anyone to refer to them as ‘assault weapons’,” Griffith said.
Griffith also queried why the gun was “returned to the Multi-Operations Purpose Unit”, which Moonilal also claimed was done.
Griffith alleged, “Given that this division is responsible for Young’s continuous state-sponsored security, this action appears unusual. It’s customary, in such situations, to return firearms to the station of issuance.”
Griffith alleged that “Given Young acquired the FUL for this specific firearm, and less than one year after he returns it,” Young should clarify the need for its disposal “within such a short period of time”.
The NTA head demanded a forensic examination report regarding the firearm’s status, which should be made accessible to the public.
“The concerns stemming from Young’s alleged actions underscore the imperative to uphold proper procedures and adherence to the rule of law, specifically concerning firearm possession and disposal. While Ministers and their close associates have so many FULs, they can choose to donate one back to the TTPS, this Keith Rowley-led administration has issues with suitably qualified police constables, small business owners and farmers acquiring a FUL.”
