SERIOUS crimes involving high powered weapons are an almost everyday occurrence in Guyana.
Opening the daily media, you are bombarded by these sordid stories time and time again and there seems to be no let up. Most of the criminals are not caught because the victims when confronted with weapons that can kill at an instant are helpless to resist. The few who are caught, in most cases the guns with which they committed the crimes could not be accounted for, which means that these are concealed somewhere out there in the hands of others ready and able to commit another act.
But far more serious and doubly important is the fact of the sentencing for those who lawmen were able to apprehend and this is my main concern. I am sick to my stomach to see the paltry time criminals of gun crimes receive in some of our courts.
After a week of following such cases I am convinced that gun crimes are not a major concern for some magistrates or should I say that there is an orchestrated attempt by some on the bench to bring society down by returning the perpetrators of heinous crimes back on the streets.
There are numerous cases of guys caught red handed with weapons but are given prison sentences ranging from 2 – 4 years. I am speaking about young, energetic, career criminals being given these innocuous sentences. One can recall one such case involving criminal element Rusley Trevor Mendonca, 34 years, sentenced to two years 18 months time.
Is this magistrate for real! To think of a known felon being given such time defies intelligence. Was his sentence based on the fact that the weapon was recovered? Which means that society should be grateful that the gun was found so just give him a rap on the fingers and a little jail time? Absolute bunk, well for your information, madame magistrate, society is not grateful we are angry, ragingly so, at this kind of lawlessness that passes for justice. We are not interested in your myopic assessment of the law or your twisted love affair with criminality; we want justice, the kind where such individuals are sent away for a long time, a very long time, for my liking for life.
When sentences of the nature I have suggested are handed down in our courts, you will see a drastic reduction in gun crimes. These paltry jail times only serve as an incentive to criminals and would-be criminals. We would like to see a justice system where persons convicted of such crimes get their just deserts for acts committed.
Guyanese society cannot feel safe while magistrates are having a field day for their own political and may I say racial agendas. This nonsense must stop! It is high time for Guyana to have uniformity of sentencing where gun crimes are concerned, I would advocate that we adopt a system of sentencing similar to the Americans, convicted, you are given 20 years and in the Guyanese case if the weapon is not found makes it doubly serious 20 years to life. Because, that weapon not being found makes matters worst when it is hidden somewhere ready for future use.
I call on the government – the Home Affairs Minister and the Minister for Justice – to pilot such a motion in the house to make it mandatory sentencing for gun crimes.

NEIL ADAMS