Gun crime remains urgent priority, Pruce insists
Governor Daniel Pruce has described gun crime as one of the most pressing security concerns facing the territory and said it must be addressed with urgency.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Pruce said illegal firearms continue to threaten public safety and confidence.
“Gun crime is a good illustration, I think, of an area where a number of interventions can help reduce the prevalence of guns and their use and possession in the territory,” he explained. He added that action is needed on several fronts, including stronger laws, improved policing, and tighter border controls.
“There may be something around legislation, legislation and penalties for possession, perhaps. That might be part of the process. There may be something around policing, police training, police methods. There may be adjustments there. Considering how the guns are getting into the territory as well. You know, import controls. How are we managing control of our borders so that the weapons themselves, the hardware, get here?” Pruce stated.
The Governor also highlighted the importance of changing social attitudes towards firearms.
“There is a space which government can play its part, but it’s not just a space for government, which is around societal norms as well, people’s attitudes to guns and gun possession, how that’s viewed, especially amongst peers, how that affects people’s level of confidence, or frankly, fear,” he said.
His comments follow a string of recent firearm seizures and arrests. Police have confiscated assault rifles, pistols, and large amounts of ammunition in operations this year. In some cases, minors were among those charged.
Authorities have also reported incidents where armed robbers targeted businesses and individuals, prompting concern from residents about public safety. Community leaders and legislators have called for tougher penalties for illegal possession of ammunition and explosives, pointing out that existing laws impose lighter sentences compared to gun possession.
They have argued that stronger deterrents, alongside community support programmes, are needed to curb the rise in gun-related offences.
Pruce said the issue will be central to discussions at the upcoming Anti-Crime Summit.
“It’s clearly an issue where there’s a very high level of commitment from myself, from the NSC, from the Premier, from all of us involved to take steps to address it and to do so urgently,” he insisted.
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a lot of youths getting gunz from older criminals who bring them in and sell them or give them to young people. similar to how it had those guy festival ground giving sex drugs to primary school kids………. i done tell aya about this sex offender list we have some real monsters amongst us.
also dont forget in andrew case they mention a certain business bringing guns in container hidden in clothes and stuff…. obviously customs being payed off and police not really involved in clearing goods so they can’t get in there so easily. need drain customs swamps or get a legislation to have police involved in clearing containers on a reg bet you see a drop in guns.
last part is our waters and open boarders that customs dont patrol so anyone can go usvi get guns and dock up anywhere anytime ANY ISLAND.
that will be really hard to control without a big investment in maritime and boarder patrol tech and manpower. but hey independence i guess
The same people who are crying gun violence are the same ones wining and dining with the gun manufacturers, runners and dealers for profit, at the expense of death.
There then are the real hypocrites of society and maladies it is affected by.
Though that is one guilty element, one would be surprised to find that the major importers are well situated business people and owners along with the well off financially and others.
As, it is only those with ample monies that can engage in the cocaine and gun running business..
Neither law enforcement nor any other will dtop the flow of narcortics or. the weapons that protect the trade as it is supported by high placed individuals within all layers of society.
Every thing else on media is a smoke screen.
As the one commenter stated these politician friends they consider friends and dining with and seen out with are the ones that are bringing in the guns and distributing it!
The few of us regular folks need to be armed, spotless record and background check, mental health test and firearm training then we protect ourselves, even if it’s for home only protection a start is a start!
The BVI do not manufacture guns
Governor think about !!!
How they get in the territory?
Has to be the ports outlets
Land and sea ports
Who are in charge of these depts ?
BVIslanders
Do your homework Sir !!!’n
The white man is who bringing in the guns
You sound so idiotic
Who is head of Ports at Purcell
Who is the head of Ports at West End
Who is the head of Ports at Beef Island Airports
Who
Owns the Marina around the BVI
You sound so hateful
THEY DONT WANT TO SEE US IN HARMONY WITHOUT ANY CURRUPT LEADERS THEY WANT KEEP UP STAGNANT WHILE THEY SOARING IN THIS BAAL SYSTEM PAGAN VIBES ALL AROUND
No country can determine our destiny, only the Tortolian Virgin islander can do that.
The importation of the gun to keep us destabilized will not work in the long run.
Real men don’t need guns. People get guns to feel big but the reality is it shows how weak of a man you are.
should take over border patrol and enforcement. The UK Navy and Marines could stop all smuggling across the sea borders of the BVI.
Oh please don’t read. The UK canbarely monitor its own border muchless one millions of miles away.
Yes, the economically, the UK is indire straits.
Politically, it has no business policing the borders of another country, as, colonial doctrines are now obsolete and need be gone pre-independence.
Whatthe empire must be doing and which they have no intention of doing is, pay their dept to the offspring of those whose labour made them an economic and military power house in the last century, and of which they are yet to pay up.
Guns will be around for a long time Governor.