THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE CRIMINALS in Jamaica have access to guns. Guns can be bought or rented by the criminals. In the event of a hold-up, in some countries, the police will tell the victims that they should not try to resist, therefore, increasing the chances of their survival. Can our police give our citizens this same advice? Will lack of resistance increase our chance of survival?
The next question is one having to do with the response time of the police. How soon can we as citizens expect the arrival of the police at our doors in the event of a burglary? If the response time is over 10 minutes, then we will probably be raped and killed before their arrival. Are the police able to find a working vehicle, will it be available, what distance will they have to travel and what is the condition of the roads?
I believe that responsible citizens who choose to be armed should be given a gun licence. This should not be considered to be a solution to our crime problem by any means. However, it is a practical solution to the security problem that many Jamaicans face today.
Why should Mr. big businessman along with all our politicians have the ability to protect themselves, when a good citizen without a prison record and a good reputation in his community is left at the mercy of the criminal elements?
If the Government is unable to protect us, then it has a moral duty to allow us to protect ourselves.
I am, etc.,
COLIN CAMERON
nilocr@hotmail.com
New Providence
Nassau, Bahamas
Via Go-Jamaica
