A LUCRATIVE underground ammunition market is reportedly being fuelled in part by Government's restriction on the number of rounds made available to legitimate firearms holders, sources tell The Sunday Gleaner.
Several firearms holders have also charged that many people have resorted to using abandoned marl quarries and secluded beaches for target practice because of what they labelled "antiquated policies" governing the use of legitimate gun ranges across the country.
In addition, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the training given to private security guards and policemen.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, said the current policy is that each licensed firearm holder is entitled to purchase 50-rounds of ammunition per annum.
For those involved in sports shooting and target practice their sporting shooting association or gun club are expected to supply them with ammunition for that purpose. Gun permits expire at March 31 every year.
It's reported, however, that the system which allowed Divisional police superintendents to grant "unlimited" licences to certain firearms holders was being exploited and used as a cover to pass on more rounds to person who do not have that permit.
While declining to comment on some of these specific charges made by firearms holders, past president of the Jamaica Rifle Association, Dr. Warren Blake, said the authorities had been withdrawing the number "unrestricted" permits granted to firearms holders.
RESTRICTED PERMITS
"Licensed firearms holders used to be able to buy any amount of rounds they wanted throughout the year. But the officials were concerned about the possibility of ammunition falling into illegal hands, hence the increase in the number of restricted permits," he said.
He agreed, however, that the 50 to 100 rounds granted firearms holders who want to engage in regular target practice is inadequate to keep them up to an acceptable level of competence.
"The number of rounds granted by the police would be used by most members in one day," Dr. Blake said.
This tight control is being blamed by some critics of the current policy for the growth in the underground ammunition trade.
"As with other areas of Jamaican life, Customs and police officials can be offered incentives to look the other way when stuff is being imported illegally," one mid-island firearm holder charged. "The focus on so-called 'dons' is misplaced. Many big business operators are using the cover of trade to make a lot of money out of the ammo trade."
The lack of regular target practice after graduation from the Police Academy at Twickenham Park, where there is a range, was also cited as one of the main reasons for many civilians being hit in crossfire by policemen.
INADEQUACY OF TRAINING
"The police themselves need regular training. The number of times innocent bystanders are shot in police/criminal confrontation, or people being threatened with guns in disputes, is a direct result of the inadequacy of training," the private licensed firearm holder commented.
At present there are only two gun clubs for private members the Jamaica Rifle Association on Mountain View Avenue in Kingston and one just outside of May Pen, Clarendon.
Non-members are sometimes invited to use the JRA's range on Mountain View Avenue but they must be accompanied by members.
"We have restrictions as to the number of rounds sold to our members for use on the premises and even how often non-members may be invited, " Dr. Blake said.
He noted too that most private security firms do not have their own ranges. They rent range time from places like the JRA. This seems to be adequate as those who do train regularly seem to have a reasonable level of competence, Dr. Blake said.
He suggested too that proper and regular audits needed to be done of all licensed gun holders. "So that if one month passes when the licence should be renewed and the gun was not brought in, then the authorities should be able to call in those persons to give an account of their weapon."
"By granting licences to people and then restricting their ability to train and hone their skills, it is like giving a man a car and preventing him from buying gas," one man commented.
