The Government of Grenada, will be seeking the approval of Members in both Houses of Parliament to allow a gun amnesty as part of a strategy to reduce the potential of violent crimes and firearms related incidents.
Scheduled to be discussed and debated at the March 26 sitting of the Lower House, the explanatory note to the Bill says the Government believes that the power to declare a firearms amnesty is one of the approaches which may help to achieve the stated objectives.
In March 2023, the police in disclosing the number of illegal firearms confiscated by law enforcement officers in the last three years said it would be a breach of national security and safety.
This was in response to an inquiry submitted to the Commissioner.
However the explanatory note stated that: “The Government intends to lessen the potential for the commission of violent crimes and firearms-related incidents by reducing the number of firearms and ammunition circulating illegally in the State.
In furtherance of this objective, the Government believes that the power to declare a firearms amnesty is one of the approaches which may help to achieve the stated objectives.”
Once approved, the amendment to the legislation will see a new section that will empower the Minister to declare a firearms amnesty in Grenada or any part thereof, by Order subject to affirmative resolution.
“During the amnesty period, a person who is in unlawful possession of firearms or ammunition may surrender the same in such manner as may be specified and no proceedings shall be taken against the person in respect of his or her unlawful possession of said firearm or ammunition,” the note added.
Speaking during a recent news conference Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said the amnesty will be for a period of 90 days.
He explained that the amnesty will grant them the opportunity to hand in firearms without being prosecuted.
“In order to do so we must amend the legislation so we are taking the necessary steps to get the policy approved and to have the legislation read and supported in parliament so that the amnesty can be granted,” he said.
In Grenada “firearm” refers to a lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged and includes a prohibited weapon and a restricted weapon, whether a lethal barrelled weapon or not.
Under the 1968 Firearm Act, any person who on summary conviction is found guilty of illegal possession will be subjected to a fine of not less than four thousand dollars and not more than twenty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for not less than two and not more than five years.
However, if it’s a conviction on an indictable charge, it will be a fine of not less than EC$20,000 and not more than EC$60,00 and imprisonment for not less than five and not more than twenty years.
