ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday forewarned illegal firearms owners and users as the government is slated to implement a period of gun amnesty to address the high levels of violence in the country.

The period of amnesty will be declared when the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act comes into effect. It will also give each Jamaican, those who have in their possession unlicensed firearms or weapons, the chance to relinquish them to the State, without prosecution.

Holness, who was the keynote speaker at the recently concluded passing out parade at the National Police College of Jamaica in St Catherine, indicated that enacting a period of amnesty falls on the heels of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) inability to address the high levels of violence in the country.

He also said that the Jamaican citizens who own and use illegal firearms should be aware of the strict penalties that have been imposed on those who break the law. As such, he said that the period of amnesty is for many to avoid the sanctions that will be inflicted.

“My thoughts on the matter are that the JCF is doing a very good job in addressing crime in the country. Where we have a challenge is addressing violence,” Holness said.

“I am expecting that the new Firearms Act will be passed in Parliament on Friday. Shortly, thereafter, it will become law. Every Jamaican beware, be forewarned, the penalties have increased significantly. And because we have increased the penalties significantly, the government of Jamaica will implement for a very short time, a period of amnesty.

“Immediately, there are those that will scoff at the amnesty. Which bad man is going to give up dem gun? Well really you know, I don’t want you to give it up, I want to catch you with it. So, don’t give it up. But out of fairness and equity, out of enough forewarning, so that you can’t come before us and say your honour I did not know,” he added.

He also said that based on the 2021 Latin American Opinion Project (LAPOP) survey, which conducts surveys of public opinion in the western hemisphere, the rate of crime victimisation and Jamaicans who feel insecure in their communities reached its lowest level since 2014.

In addition to that, Jamaica recorded the lowest percentage (seven per cent) of people who have been victims of crime related acts and those who feel unsafe in their respective communities in the region.

He outlined, however, that if violence should be eliminated, Jamaica can be considered a fairly safe country. But, the accessibility of unregistered firearms and weapons to the public has been the nation’s greatest threat to a sense of security.

“If we were to take violence out of crime, Jamaica would be fairly well secured. But the level of violence that exists creates this sense of fear and uncertainty,” he said.

“The ease in which Jamaicans get access to illegal weapons creates the means, and, indeed, the opportunity to inflict the ultimate violence. So, when you hear the propensity to violence with the means to commit to violence, then you will have an extremely high rate of violence in the society,” Holness underscored.