By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterHOLLOW POINT bullets, which expand to 160 per cent of its original size upon impact, causing excessive damage in the human body, are among the lethal ammunition being used increasingly by dangerous criminal gangs in Jamaica.
This has been confirmed by the police who contend that these ammunition are being smuggled into the country by the same channels through which illegal guns are brought in from overseas.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, said it was not illegal for licensed firearm holders to have hollow point ammunition in their weapons.
This was supported by Ernest Hoo, one of the country's leading firearms dealer, who said that hollow point ammunition is legally sold to licensed firearm holders in Jamaica.
"There is no restriction to import that type of ammunition. It is sold openly in the United States and there is nothing on the books to show that it is illegal to sell it here," said Mr. Hoo.
But the move by the United States' State Department to freeze importation licences for guns and ammunition to Jamaica, could affect the availability of these bullets legally.
The State Department said that the suspension was enforced to facilitate a thorough review of the terms and conditions under which arms and ammunition were being sold in Jamaica. It said its action was in response to Jamaica's concern about the flow of guns into the island and its contribution to crime.
Friday, the Ministry of National Security issued a statement in which it said that the review was requested as part of efforts to combat the growing number of guns falling into the hands of criminals. It said the U.S. shared the Government of Jamaica's often-stated concern over the possibility that U.S.-origin firearms and ammunition might contribute to crime in Jamaica.
In the U.S., human rights activist had been calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ban the use of hollow points bullets. A report posted on the Hunan Rights Coalition/Indigenous Alliance website, dated May 3, 2003, said the Catholic Legal Immigration Netowork Inc. had circulated a letter to the DHS, opposing the use of the highly lethal hollow point ammunition.
Superintendent Fred Hibbert at the Government Forensic Laboratory said the hollow point bullet is more suitable for close combat. Another forensic expert, Deputy Superintendent Sidney Porteous, said while the regular 9-mm 'hard ball' bullet will pierce then exit the body, the hollow point does not.
"If the 'hard ball' hit a bone in the body, it will either break it or deflect and exit. The hollow point upon impact will fragment in separate direction, hitting vital organs," said DSP Porteous.
