Implement for effect
published: Tuesday | December 9, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE FACT that I have not read the draft of the pending Terrorism Act, precludes any praise or criticism on my part. But I think that it is appropriate for me to proffer a suggestion, which may or may not be already addressed.

The present proliferation and use of illegal firearms in Jamaica is so terrorising to the law abiding citizens, that my immediate reaction, is, to propose that, any person, persons or entities that trade(s) or possess(es) an illegal firearm, upon apprehension, should be charged and tried under the Anti Terrorism Act. There should be no mitigating circumstances acceptable to the courts for these defendants.

I would wager that such measures would see a significant decline in illegal dealers, carriers and most importantly, resulting in less armed robberies and indiscriminate murders.

It is useless putting these laws in the Statutes if the Judiciary fails to implement them, so their success or failure depends on the uncorrupted and unbiased behaviour of our judges and jurors.

I am, etc.,

CHESTER EBANKS

cdelonye@aol.com

Tamarac, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica