By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter GUN DEALERS are analysing the implications for their businesses after it emerged yesterday that the United States had ordered a freeze on the licences of all dealers to import guns and ammunition into Jamaica.
A top firearm dealer, Leighton Sasso, said yesterday that the decision would adversely affect his sales.
"It means that if we cannot import anything, then we have nothing to sell," said Mr. Sasso, who has been in the business for more than 20 years. "Everybody has been affected."
A document faxed from the Bureau of Political Military Affairs in Washington D.C. to the dealers yesterday said no licences would be considered for firearms and/or ammunition for Jamaica at this time.
In January, the National Contracts Commission okayed the award of a combined US$604,000 in contracts by the Ministry of National Security to F.N. Herstal S.A. of Belgium and Winchester Ammunition out of the United States, for guns and ammunition, but it was unclear last night whether the decision would affect any of those contracts.
Attempts to reach Minister Dr. Peter Phillips were unsuccessful.
Currently, there is an extensive review of firearms and ammunition imports in Jamaica.
The document to the dealers came from firearms analyst Donald Beck, advising that their licence applications had been voided and returned without action for a number of reasons.
Applicants were told that they are now required to fill out specific forms related to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
They are also being asked to submit a copy of the purchase order from the foreign end user or foreign consignee, specifying type of firearm, calibre, quantity, dollar value, end use and end user.
A member of the Police High Command who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday said the problem between the US and the dealers began about three years ago after questions were raised about the quantity of firearms and ammunition that were being imported to Jamaica by some dealers within what they determined to be too short a period.
The Gleaner understands that at one stage the State Department had contacted Police Commissioner Francis Forbes on the matter and for several months both parties exchanged correspondence.
Further reports are that at least one dealer almost lost his licence following a court matter in which the local police seized a large cache of ammunition from unauthorised persons. The ammunition was purchased from the particular dealer.
Gleaner sources say that it was reports of that nature that prompted the State Department to began taking a closer look at the importation of guns and ammunition to Jamaica.
