It is virtually impossible for Bahamians to legally come into possession of a firearm, according to Desmond Bannister, Minister of State For Legal Affairs, who says firearms legislation in this country is among the toughest in the region.
Mr. Bannister said the police are quite diligent and strict when it comes to the licensing of firearms.
He said the problem with The Bahamas is that its archipelagic nature, which law enforcement officials acknowledge makes it is easy for persons visiting to bring in firearms.
Mr. Bannister said firearms are then trickling into the hands of Bahamians who do not respect the law.
"We do not have a difficulty with the legal regime. We have a difficulty with the nature of our country. If someone in possession of a firearm brings in a yacht into one of the Out Islands, that illegal firearm might get into the wrong hands and it is virtually impossible for the police to police that kind of thing," said Mr. Bannister.
"We as citizens must be more diligent about the country’s [interests]. We can not allow people in our homes to have illegal firearms and not report it to the authorities," said Mr. Bannister.
He said communities should form a better relationship with police officers.
"We need to be honest so that when we know that illegal firearms are out in the communities we must let them know," said Mr. Bannister.
He continued by saying the strictness of the law will not help the illegal firearm problem.
Mr. Bannister said there have been reports of persons in many communities firing off bullets into the air and when the police arrived to question people they were met by a wall of silence.
He said a wall of silence should not be tolerated in the Bahamas. He said there must be obedience and respect for the law.
Mr. Bannister said there is a general flippancy in the country when it comes to the respect to the law.
Children are watching all the minor laws being broken by their parents, he pointed out.
"When you look at the fact that children are seeing their parents with no regard (for the law) and disrespect for the law they also develop that type of feeling for the law," said Mr. Bannister.
"We have a general lack of respect and we have to be able as a people to decide that we are going to obey all laws."
"We as a people need to determine whether or not we will not continue to tolerate this foolishness with illegal guns," said Mr. Bannister.
He said individuals must stop harboring criminals and they have to determine where they are going as a nation.
"When we decide to not tolerate illegal activities we will see the work the police, the courts and judges are doing. We as a people can work together to ensure the kind of society we want," said Mr. Bannister.
Chief Superintendent Raymond Gibson, Officer in Charge of Crime, said most of the illegal weapons entering the country are coming from the US.
Superintendent Gibson said the methods being used to import these illegal firearms are commercial airline flights, shipping vessels, cruises and pleasure vessels.
He said the illegal weapons are being used in the commission of criminal activities.
"These weapons are being used in robberies and murders," he said, "and we are appealing to the public to continue to give the police information about these criminal activities."
Superintendent Gibson said in the past most of the murders committed were drug-related.
"We are now seeing an increase in domestic-related and gang-related murders," said Mr. Gibson.
He also said the criminal problem the country has is not only a police problem but the country must address the issue collectively.
Mr. Gibson also said that the general public has been very helpful in providing information with respect to criminal activities.
"We want to make an appeal to the public, to continue providing police with information without delay so that most criminal activities can cease."
- Austin DWI - New York DWI