RECENT events involving gun crimes have been most shocking and certainly most unnerving for the country at large and for this cause I am compelled to write.

I do not know if the authorities are taking careful note of these gun crimes but I am tempted to believe they are not because if they did we would not be in the mess we have found ourselves. Let us review a few of these cases-Ricardo Rodrigues blasted away in a hail of bullets with 41 spent shells recovered from the crime scene, 15 bullets riddling his body.
The story does not end there as eyewitnesses recall Rodrigues going for his gun when he was confronted by his attackers but was overpowered by his better armed comrades. Now, my question is why should notorious figures such as Rodrigues be the holder of a firearm? There is no question as to who this character was and how “good a businessman” he was, among the other ‘businesses’ he was engaged in.
One of the items in his resume should read, right hand man of the notorious Roger Khan’s clan. Everyone knew this, then why should someone of that notoriety be the holder of a licensed firearm. I vividly remember one of the things you must be cleared of when applying for a visa at the US Embassy is not having association or not being a visitor to communist Cuba. Many of my friends were denied entry into the US for this breach because their names were on that blacklisted group of persons. I again pose the question how did he pass the test to become a firearm holder? It boggles the mind.
Then it behooves me to believe that the more you are shady, the more you attest to notoriety then this becomes the qualification to own a firearm. What is going on in beautiful Guyana? Another example is Gordon Gilhuys, a character of grave misgivings. He too is the licensed holder of a firearm. The same could be said of Waddell, a PNC activist, who openly told the young men of Buxton and Anns Grove “that we would provide you with guns and training for the revolution.”
These persons were also licensed holders of firearms. Recently, a prominent lawyer who is a leading member of the AFC, and there is no reason to believe he is not a holder of a firearm, is known to have recruited thugs in Agricola for terrorist maneuvers.

The point I am making is when knowledge is at your fingertips where persons are known to have breached the solemn contract, where firearm possession is concerned, then that firearm should be taken away and that individual blacklisted from ever holding one again.

The facts of my case becomes clearer when you read of the Linden fiasco as well as the many armed robberies where high powered weapons are being used and the perpetrators receiving paltry sentences, then it tells you what a wild west situation we have in Guyana.

The lawlessness is even greater when you view the situation where private citizens and businessmen of good and regular standing cannot get a firearm but thugs and criminals can. It tells you what a dangerous country we are living in.

If you should give Jack his jacket most of these persons of ill repute were granted licences during the tenure of former Commissioner Winston Felix, a man known for his shady dealings and backstreet deals.

This was a time when firearm licences were given the green light from the police commissioner. Well, it answers the question why Minister Rohee asked for the process to come within the purview of the Home Affairs Ministry.

No wonder the opposition is calling for his removal. Very good move Minister Rohee but you need to go further and remove forthrightly firearm from persons of the likes of Nigel Hughes and his cabal who can unabashedly call for violence; he has forfeited his chances of ever holding a firearm.

And for those who are holders of firearm, subject them to quarterly checks at the central police station.

There should be a total overhaul of the process leading up to firearm possession. Lastly, you should pilot a bill through Parliament for maximum sentences to be issued for illegal gun possession. The present innocuous sentencing coming from some shady justices would come to an end. It will put a serious dent into the present “wild west” situation also.

Barring the porous nature of our borders and the notorious gun culture serious steps have to be taken into the issuing of firearms and the stringent tracking of those that are in circulation.