In an interview with HGP Nightly News, former Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan expressed his belief that an amnesty period for unlicensed firearms could be a valuable tool in the fight against crime and insecurity in the country.
According to Ramjattan, the country’s high criminal violence is mainly due to the proliferation of illegal firearms. By implementing an amnesty period, the government would allow individuals to surrender their unlicensed guns without fear of prosecution. This, in turn, would help reduce the number of illegal firearms on the streets and decrease violence and insecurity.
Ramjattan stated that he believes the PPP government should quickly move to implement this measure, as it has proven to be effective in other countries. He pointed to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, which have implemented successful amnesty periods that have significantly reduced gun crime.
While some may argue that an amnesty period could encourage more individuals to acquire illegal firearms in the future, Ramjattan asserts that the benefits outweigh the potential risks. He argued that the government should also increase public awareness and education about the dangers of illegal firearms and strengthen laws and enforcement efforts to prevent future unlawful gun possession.
Overall, Ramjattan believes that an amnesty period could be a crucial step in addressing the country’s high levels of criminal violence and insecurity. He encourages the government to consider this option as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing gun crime and promoting public safety.
