Renewed calls for businesses to be granted firearms
Calls for business owners to be granted licensed firearms have resurfaced amid the wave of daring robberies in Road Town and surrounding communities.
The debate was reignited this week during the Talking Points radio programme, where BVI Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sinclair Flemming said many business operators are becoming increasingly fearful as brazen attacks on businesses appear to be escalating across the territory.
“One of the biggest deterrents is giving business owners actual projectile weapons to be able to defend themselves and their businesses,” Flemming argued, adding that business owners are now questioning how much more risk they are willing to take.
In recent months, Road Town has experienced several brazen robberies, some carried out in broad daylight and in busy commercial areas. One jewellery store in the capital was targeted twice in a year by armed men, heightening fears among retailers and workers.
“I think one of the major issues is that the person doing the illegal activity knows that you have nothing at your side or in your position that can deter them in any way, shape or form,” Flemming stated.
He said business owners have been advocating for properly vetted firearm licences and other forms of self-defence protection for persons deemed most at risk. However, Talking Points host Damion Grange questioned whether increasing access to firearms could make the territory even more dangerous. Grange pointed to other countries where widespread gun ownership among civilians and businesses has coincided with higher levels of gun violence.
Flemming insisted the Chamber was not advocating for a “gun-touting society” but rather a tightly controlled system where vulnerable business owners could better protect themselves.
“When we did meet with the Acting Commissioner, I was happy to hear that they did review some (firearm licence requests), approved a few, and are looking into some more. Obviously, it’s less than the percentage that we want to see, but I’m happy to see that it’s being at least looked at. We’ve advocated for nonlethal weapons as well,” Flemming explained.
The renewed call comes as residents continue calling for stronger policing and faster arrests in connection with the increasing robberies. Thus far, police have released limited information publicly about suspects or ongoing investigations tied to recent incidents.
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Get the guns off the streets and out of homes. Mandatory jail sentence for any firearm offense. Strict enforcement.
Adding more guns in the hands of non-professionals is just adding to the problem.
Pass the mandatory sentencing and start sending people to jail and the guns which a lot of people here already have will be gone.
BUT YOU HAVE TO PASS THE LAW THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR YEARS!!!
Police can only pick up the pieces. All the criminals have guns, sentence guide lines will not deter them. Business owners need to send a message to the criminals, attack and we will figure back
No problem just dont be surprise when the criminals decided to use their high powered rifles to lick down someone just bcuz they are aware that business now has guns for “self defense”
most of the business robberies no one injured by any gun fire but yall wanna escalate things.
so lets who the legal issues hand gun gonna do against the criminals high powered ar rifles, switch hand guns etc
there has to be another way
I am honestly tired of explaining the obvious: if you allow gun ownership in this country, therefore making it easier to obtain guns, then criminals will also have easier access to guns. The problem gets worse. There’s more shootings. Tortola becomes St Thomas. Lets have some common sense.
@ Tired… Tortola will never become St.Thomas.
This will not work. If the government allows firearms for one group of people they will rapidly become easily accessible for EVERYONE. Whoever is calling for this is short sighted and ignorant. We do not want to turn into the US.
Sadly I agree unless strict rules and PROPER training are accompanied with them having a firearm because bullets do not have eyes and if any situation turn into a shootout between criminal and business owner, I fear more injuries are sure to come as a result
Strict rules and proper training won’t solve anything. All it takes is one ‘legitimate’ business person to accept a couple extra dollars and the gun is in the wrong hands. And like has been pointed out above – most of the robberies have not involved injuries. If both sides have guns, it is very likely this will change… and it won’t always be the business owner who gets to shoot first.
Easy solution take all the guns off the street.
stop cars , trucks and scooters for search
confiscate cars, scooters, boats and even houses with guns or ammo found in them.
only if there is consequences will things change.
Guns are illegal Period…..
Yup..when does anyone in the BVI adhear to strict rules Chuupes
Those businessmen in the drug trade already have guns, so are you willing to give all those who are selling fruits and operating heavy equipment and car rentals gun licenses too?
Under the queenz law it will never happen
Gunz are already allowed to be carried by certain individuals with clout/power/name who are not police or even trained. With that being said wat is good for the geese should be good for the gander!! gtfoh.
Is Shakhoy Penn a businessman?
Does he need a gun?
Great idea.