THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM in agreement that something must be done about the number of guns on the street but differ somewhat in my approach to the solution. I must state that the solution is by no means a simple one and a multi-faceted approach may be required.
My suggestions have to do with controlling the source of the guns and ammunition that are currently in the hands of Jamaicans generally. It would be interesting to find out if the Ministry of National Security has developed any recent policy to address the custody and handling of guns to the legal sector.
The reason for such an approach has to do with the similarities that exist between the types of guns and bullets used by the legal and the illegal sectors viz 9mm, .38 revolvers, and M16.
GREATER SCRUTINY
While I am not pointing a finger at any particular legal firearm holder, there is sufficient correlation that suggests that greater scrutiny must be placed on holders of legal firearms.
The legal firearm holders in Jamaica are: soldiers JDF; police JCF; security guards security firms; private citizens hunters, gun enthusiasts, personal safety.
My question is what type of inventory control and management systems are in place to ensure that each type of user is held accountable for the guns and bullets that they are assigned. Who is checking this, how often are checks done and what measures exist to address breaches?
From the little knowledge that I have, it is understood that the Police Force in general does NOT have effective procedures in place to properly manage their inventory of guns and bullets. Oftentimes manual systems (big books, rulers and pens) are used to record issues and receipts of these items to individual personnel. The use of a computerised medium (e.g., database) would be more effective and make tracking and other enquiries more reliable, accurate, timely and effective.
MAINTAINANCE
In addition, how are the illegal guns maintained? Guns, I am told, will require parts and servicing after some length of use. Again, who services the guns for the legal firearm holders? Is the Ministry of National Security satisfied that adequate measures exist to manage these firms?
I must admit however that the strength of any system depends in part on the level of integrity of the humans involved in such a system. There is no doubt that corruption may undermine any system, but if technology is sufficiently deployed to counter the problems then some progress may be achieved.
I am, etc.,
B.M.
zabhoo62@hotmail.com.
