- Zero-tolerance stance, amnesty deadline raise stakes for illegal firearms in SVG
When the amnesty to remove illicit guns from the streets expires, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will implement harsher regulations and a zero-tolerance stance for their use and possession.
Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister and head of national security, says that the government would prosecute cases and crimes involving guns with all the force of the law.
His administration will present the specific recommendations for harsher penalties—which will be included in a new law—to Parliament on April 4.
Gonsalves said that the penalty for illegal possession will increase from 18 months to four years in prison, which encouraged mothers and spouses to convince the members of each family to turn over any ammunition or deadly objects they may have.
In addition, the PM advised young men to forgo armed crime in favour of a better future, stay away from violence, and grow into decent people who advance their country.
From May 1 to May 31, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to have an amnesty that will allow citizens to turn in illegal firearms to law enforcement, religious institutions, attorneys, politicians, or educators without facing consequences.
During the duration of the programme, the authorities will not initiate new inquiries or note the unlawful possession of munitions in the criminal records of those who willingly transport them to the approved areas.
The nation hopes to counteract the alarming increase in gun-related crimes and fatalities on its streets in this way.
