One of the most shameful and violent acts of crime in Anguilla, in recent times, has been the use of guns mainly by rival gangs or individuals involved in feuds in various parts of the island. Although the violence has been directed at those persons, innocent individuals, minding their own business, have unfortunately been caught in the cross-fire and severely wounded. Other persons in course of their duties or in their business places have been attacked at gunpoint or shot at during robberies.

Naturally, the discharge of gunfire in public places has caused people at functions to take to their heels with the possibility of being crushed in stampedes. Just hearing that there has been a shooting in some part of the island usually sends shivers down the spine of many persons far removed from the area of the incident. There is a real fear on the island of this type of violence which has been a thing unheard of in Anguilla in the days when indecent language and petty offences were the order of the day in a case-starved Magistrate’s Court.

Now, the situation is a far cry from those days of peaceful bliss, harmony in the society and goodwill among the youngsters on the island. This East and West, North and South gang warfare, in particular, is a scourge to our community and poses a serious threat which, if not addressed quickly and decisively, can become a big problem for our island and its law enforcement agencies in the near future.

The fearful public has been crying out for action against the hoodlums. Several amnesties appealing to the holders of illegal firearms to turn them in to the police, with no questions asked and no prosecution against them, have been virtually ignored. Yet every now and then persons were found with guns in their possession or shootings were reported at various times and places.

All of this now needs to be brought to a screeching halt. The Government has moved to address the situation, through the Attorney General’s Chambers, by drafting an amendment to the existing Firearms Act which substantially increases the penalties and fines for offences committed under the legislation. Some members of the public, incensed by the situation, and with feelings of abhorrence or revenge, are likely to say that the proposed sentences should be tougher and the law given more teeth. They cannot be blamed for feeling that way because, if not well addressed, the violence may one day result in one of their loved ones lying dead at a faceless gunman’s feet.

It is envisaged that when the amended law is taken before the House of Assembly that members will give it their unconditional support. Some of them may even call for a further increase in the penalties and fines.

Speaking at the opening of the 2005/2006 Law Year at the High Court in Anguilla on Tuesday, September 20, Justice Janice George-Creque said there was a sizeable increase in criminal activity on the island. She stated that the Court now sits three times a year to deal with criminal matters. We can lessen that growing list of cases if we fight gun crime, one of the contributing offences, with all the vigour of the law.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News