SEVERAL FIREARMS holders are likely to lose their licences at the end of this month as the police step up their review of permits granted to a number of persons including so-called "shady characters" over the past few years.
This comes against the background of renewed controversy over the issuing of gun permits and other aspects of Government firearms policy, charges of deepening corruption, questions about the adequacy of training for policemen and the absence of training facilities for licensed firearms holders.
At the same time some firearms holders have questioned the rationale for Government's current fee system under which each firearm holder is required to pay $3,000 per annum without having access to training ranges or are restricted in the number of ammunition granted for practice each year.
PRACTICE
Among them is sports shooter, Lance Hibbert, who said he has been able to maintain a fair level of competence for sports competitions over the past five years primarily because he has been able to get some practice by being invited as a guest of the Jamaica Rifle Association.
"There needs to be more target ranges. The current situation is absolutely ridiculous. If the authorities are fearful about possible misuse of ammunition, proper checks and balances can be put in place to protect the public," he said.
Mr. Hibbert charged that not even the police themselves seemed to be getting adequate practice. "Legitimate holders just need to be much more aware and proficient in the use of the equipment at their disposal and this can't be done in the current scenario," he said.
Meanwhile, one local gun expert has pointed to the access which Jamaicans have to training schools and gun clubs in the United States where people have the "right to bear arms".
CRIMINAL INTENT
"When those with criminal intent return to the island and are engaged in confrontations with the security forces, they are likely to be far more proficient than most local licensed firearms holders or the police because of the exposure they've had," he said.
According to one trainer in the private security industry, the police could be helped to do a better and more effective job if the Government would draw on the expertise of those in the private sector to train state security
personnel as is done in other
jurisdictions.
"Jamaica's nearest thing to SWAT team was the CMU and look what a disaster they have been in dealings with civilians," he commented. "The Jamaican Government has never looked in the direction of private trainers and I believe they should make use of the best local and foreign expertise."
