No guns turned in during firearm amnesty period
Commissioner of Police Mark Collins said the firearm amnesty programme the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force implemented was unsuccessful as no firearms were turned in during the period.
The amnesty programme ran from April 4 to April 8 and residents of the territory could have turned in any illegal guns without being arrested and charged by police officers.
The programme was implemented as a response to the significant rise in gun crimes in the territory this year and even going back into last year.
Speaking with JTV Channel about the highly talked about the programme, the top cop said it was disappointing, but the police force will continue to move forward.
“We introduced the firearm amnesty from the fourth to the eighteenth of April and unfortunately, we did not get any firearms handed in. Not one handed in and we have reached out to community leaders and of course the government to assist us with this matter. In fact, it was the Premier’s suggestion in fairness to run an amnesty,” Collins said.
“But I am disappointed to say we did not have any firearms handed in because I know people out there know where guns are being harboured. Loved ones know that their sons, brothers and sisters may know where the firearms are and it was an opportunity to share with us, following the vigil we had, share with us, come together over the Easter period of Passover and it was an opportunity to pass over weapons and it was a shame we did not get any handed in,” he added.
The Police Commissioner said the RVIPF will continue to act on the intelligence it receives, and it will continue to work with other agencies and the community in being proactive in removing illegal firearms from the streets of the territory.
Commissioner Collins said there has seemingly been an increase in the number of guns, especially high-powered weapons, in the territory.
He said last year was the highest number of gun seizures by the RVIPF as 31 firearms were recovered. He added that in the last four months of this year alone, 41 illegal firearms were recovered with a lot of them being high-powered and dangerous weapons.
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THE SO CALLED JUSTICE SYSTEM IS RETURNING COLD BLOODED GUNDERLEROUS TO THE STREETS TO ASSIST COVID / SO THEY NEED THEIR TOOLS TO WORK WITH . AMEN ?
Let’s not act like we really expected guns to be turned in. The criminals have become cold-hearted,killing people of all ages, the youngest was 11yrs old and many people turned the blind eye to these criminals because they’re someone’s son,cousin,father,babydaddy etc.
And how can we forget all the victims of gun violence?? The media will post about a victim once their death is reported and then we never hear about the victims again?? The police used to post a update on the anniversary of a victim’s death, they don’t even keep up with that anymore. The community has lost trust in the police and that makes the whole situation even worse. Maybe they should try a 1-800 tip hotline (a Secure one that actually WORK)
Surely there are people in the community who has guns. The fact that none of these people has turned in theirs is a clear indication to me that they are unwilling to.
That being the case, whenever these people are caught with a gun or use it in the commission of a crime the law relative to possessing illegal firearms need to be fully enforced.
The discretion magistrates have in sentencing those caught with guns or have used them in the commission of crimes needs to be taken away and the punishment should be universal. The legislature needs to amend the law to make that possible.
I would venture to say most law abiding people do not a need to possess a gun, and its mainly those engaged in illicit activities such as in the drug trade who finds comfort in having them. I gather they have to be watching their backs.
At any rate, the RVIPF should not give up on its efforts to get guns off the streets. They should have a gun amnesty outreach multiple times a year. One gun off the streets may save a life or multiple.
So agreed with your contribution. however, when implement others ideas its best to look at the project from all angel. firstly an Gun Amnesty is too short for one to monitor there is no time to build a momentum of decision making ( whether they should or should not) Secondly, taking the idea of turning in a gun to a police station would mark an individual and their friends. It would be best to offer a keyed box with a opening to the top to allow the individuals to drop the gun into, during the months of amnesty. Conclusively, offer money for the guns it might bring a catch.
the Gun Amnesty was not promoted properly. lots of people didn’t know about it. can we try Promote the gun amnesty better. flyer, more Advertising
The people need their guns plain and simple.
No s**t Sherlock! What is the consequence if they don’t turn them in. Without harsher penalties, there is no incentive for anyone to turn in their guns. This required a coordinated effort that should have included tougher gun crime laws and public awareness initiatives of the said laws and their implications, and the amnesty. Going to a hotel for a couple years for gun possession is better than turning in gun at this point.
So do stop & search especially on these tinted out rentals. 20 years automatic on any guns found.
How was the girl killed at csy? Was it not a gun? Didnt the person who did the shooting walk free? Why would someone give up their gun when they can walk free if the use for illegal purposes. If u arrested one you will see they will get a lawyer and be scotch free.
Start searching scooters and cars on the streets and you will find guns in big numbers. Enforce the laws make BVI safer. i dont think most people will mind getting stopped and searched. most people have nothing to hide. scooters should be easy only takes 5 min to search person and scooter.
People “won’t mind” getting stopped and searched? I beg to differ. It’s a huge invasion of privacy if you have no reasonable suspicion to search that vehicle. Just because you don’t have anything illegal in there doesn’t mean you want police pawing through your personal property.
Why would a criminal who needs the gun for their trade give it away just because you asked them to?
This was a lazy attempt, a stiffer penalty is probably coming but since when does penalty affect behaviour.
Excuse me? I’m not giving you my chit! Who going protect me? ME that’s who you all to bright.
Figures the premier was responsible for this boneheaded idea. Gun amnesty programs in the US only get people turning in legal guns; they’re not designed to catch illegal guns. Criminals will not turn in their guns to the police. What could they possibly have to gain from that? Getting on a suspect list? Even if they put a stiffer penalty in place, no one ever thinks they’ll get caught.
The only way this works is if you provide a high incentive that we know yall are not going to do.
Market this gun Amnesty like between 5-15k per gun depending on size etc and watch them guns starts to roll in like hot bread.
We need a registration drive on how persons can properly acquire a gun license and legally own a firearm.
I rather have a gun on me to DEFEND myself and go to jail than not have one and end up dead in a grave and the Killer walking free to go kill somebody else.
Tortola gives no Justice to these poor souls who have been slain.
Nobody gets locked up and all the killers are beating their cases even tho the WHOLE island KNOW them do it. You think we trust ayo police(drug & money thieves)
The corrupt police are also beating their cases.
I rather put my life in my own hands.
My Rod and my staff shall comfort me.
(Know what a modern day rod and staff is/does)
@ jah sol that’s real talk. Cop can’t save you
It’s unfortunate that persons in possession of illegal firearm (s) did not take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of them. The police now have and should be more aggressive in enforcing the law by putting things in place to go after their seizure
This shows us all that a gun in hand is better than a cop on the phone. I’ll just rest this here.
ANY DAY!
Lots of people talking about jail time for people with guns. The BVI don’t have the space for this (or the money).
Here is some radical thought – why don’t you take away these gun people’s Belonger status!? Ship them to the DR or Haiti for a ‘Vacation’ and then take away their BVI Passport.
These guns are with these thugs that feel they are priveliged and untouchable. The courts need to change the way they approach these scooter boys. We need to take our country back or we are going to end up like the USVI.
you sound like a fool who married to their first cousin, its the people from right here who running this thing, what belonger status they going take away when them parents from right here! its the expats who bring the monies into the bvi for the jail to have what eva monies they get..YOU does make enough money for the year to pay TAX TO CONTRUBUTE?
What this amnesty effectively has done, is that it gives the Magistrate no discretion if he or she decides not to use it for anyone that is held with any firearm after the conclusion of the amnesty period. So those who still have any illegal firearms please don’t get caught because if you do and you are found guilty or you plead guilty, you will for sure be spending a few months at HMP. Enough time to think and realised that you make a stupid decision.