THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WELCOME Parliament's move to change the licensing scheme for firearms. This is change that is long overdue, and should go a long way to rooting out corruption in the present system, and provide for uniform standards nationwide.
The planned change does not go far enough, however. A major flaw in the current system is set to be included in the new system: the requirement to 'prove genuine need'.
With so many criminals in possession of weapons, one has to wonder what other 'genuine need' could be expressed. Also, who will decide if a citizen really 'needs' a firearm? Should a panel of three persons really have the power to make life-and-death decisions for our families? I say absolutely not!
I believe that ALL Jamaicans who can demonstrate safe handling of a firearm and knowledge of the laws governing the use of deadly force, and have a clean criminal record, should be allowed to own firearms for self-defence. Other nations have implemented similar, common-sense firearms regulations with stunning success and Jamaica should not be any different.
I am, etc.,
STEFAN P. A. BRAND
anynamethatworks@hotmail.com
Orlando, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
