Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter

Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green wants legislation to prevent licensed firearm holders from taking their weapons inside nightclubs and other places of entertainment.

Currently, there is no such legislation in place.

In fact, the decision to allow licensed firearm holders with their weapons inside nightclubs is most times left to the discretion of club owners.

Call for legislation

Green's call for urgent legislation follows Monday's shooting incident at the Double Diamond nightclub in St Andrew which left four people dead and five others injured.

Until such legislation is enacted, Green advises that licensed firearm holders secure their guns in a safe or leave them at a police station before attending entertainment venues.

The police officer is also against the practice of licensed firearm holders leaving their weapons inside their vehicles.

Brian 'Ribby' Chung, owner of two popular nightclubs in New Kingston, The Quad and The Asylum, told The Gleaner yesterday that he allows licensed firearm holders inside his clubs.

Upon entering either club, firearm holders are required to show their permit then sign a logbook, which records all patrons entering the facility with a gun.

Members of the security forces are also required to show proper identification and the relevant documents for their firearms before signing the logbook.

Apprehend offenders

The club owner said while he would not turn away licensed firearm holders from his clubs, he advises his security personnel, some of whom are off-duty policemen, to apprehend anyone who discharges his/her firearm inside clubs.

As it relates to keeping patrons' licensed firearms, Chung said he would not assume that responsibility.

Winston Watkis, operator of Weekenz, where the weekly dance Bembe is held, told The Gleaner he has a 'no-firearm policy'. However, the decision to allow a licensed firearm holder inside the venue is left to the discretion of his security team, which includes off-duty policemen.

michelle-ann.letman@gleanerjm.com

Sections 21 and 23 of the Firearms Act (1967)

21. General restriction upon carrying firearms and ammunition in public -

(1) A person shall not carry any firearm or ammunition in any public place unless at the time when he carries such firearm or ammunition he has about his person a licence, certificate or permit granted by the authority, authorising him to carry such firearm or ammunition in such place.

(2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence, and on summary conviction before a resident magistrate shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding 12 months.

23. Restrictions relating to the discharge of firearms and ammunition -

(1) A person shall not discharge any firearm or the ammunition on or within 40 yards of any public road or in any public place except -

a) In the lawful protection of his person or property or of the person or property of some other person; or

b) In the lawful shooting of a trespassing animal; or

c) Under the direction of some civil or military authority authorised to give such direction; or

d) With the permission of the minister (of national security).