GUYANA’S political Opposition continues to stall the amendment of the Firearms Amendment Act which will give law enforcement officers greater power to fight firearm trafficking. The AFC/APNU coalition has delayed the movement of the legislation by preventing Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee from presenting the Bill for its first reading on October 22, 2012.

The Opposition, in collaboration with the Speaker, violated the Constitution and gagged Minister Rohee from speaking as an elected member in the National Assembly, a move described as an assault to democracy as it remains unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The decision to gag Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee is seen as a political vendetta being fulfilled by the Opposition, when the lives of Guyanese are at stake.

The Firearms Amendment Act No. 34 of 2012, if passed by the National Assembly, seeks to amend the Firearms Act of 1996, preventing the sale of ammunitions by a licensed firearm dealer to a purchaser unless the latter is a registered owner of, or has permit to acquire.

The Bill, which is currently before the National Assembly, intends to regulate the way in which the Firearm Amendment Act is being administered, such as penalties for non-surrender of firearms, prescribed ports for importation of firearms, grants, variations and revocation of licences, among others.

But despite the Home Affairs Minister’s attempt to tighten security measures which will ensure that Guyanese are safe, members of the Opposition have been working tirelessly to ensure that these measures are not implemented, due to their political vendetta.

Opposition Leader David Granger, who has called on numerous occasions for the implementation of a security plan aimed at making Guyana a safer place, is, on the other hand, stymieing the progress of the legislation to address the security situation. This move has seen the Opposition coming in for great condemnation by sections of society, including the business community and the private sector.