Gun amnesty first week produces 7 guns, 1460 ammo

Georgetown: Although facing overwhelming criticism, the Gun amnesty programme completed its first week on Monday, with a total of seven weapons and 1460 ammunition handed over at various police stations.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which was given oversight responsibility of the programme, only three of the seven Police Divisions have seen activities under the programme as of Monday September 8. In A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), five weapons were surrendered along with 1453 ammunitions and ammunition components. These include 1191 rounds of 7.62×51 ammunition; two .22 Pistols along with 55 matching rounds of ammunition and three magazines; one shotgun with one cartridge; one 9mm Luger pistol along with nine matching rounds; and one .32 Walter pistol with one magazine along with 193 matching rounds.
Over in the D Division (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) the Police received one 9mm magazine, three 16 gauge shotgun cartridges and three 20 gauge cartridges from the public. Meanwhile, in the F Division (Interior locations) one 20-gauge shotgun and a 16 gauge shotgun were surrendered to the Police.
On Saturday, the Guyana Times contacted the Commanders of B Division (Berbice), C Division (East Coast Demerara), E Division (Linden- Kwakwani ), F Division (Interior) and G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands), all of whom indicated that nothing has been surrendered in their districts thus far. With the official update from the Police Force on the programme, this position seems to be the same.
In efforts to curb the number of gun-related crimes and rid the streets of unlicensed weapons, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had outlined in its election manifesto that it will be implementing an amnesty programme for the surrender of illegal weapons.
Keeping its word, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan rolled out the programme on September 1. The programme provides for persons in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition or explosives to hand them over to the authorities without facing prosecution.
Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan addressing a gathering in Berbice on Saturday, renewed calls for persons to take advantage of the amnesty period and surrender all illegal guns and ammunition, warning that they will have to face the full brunt of the law otherwise when the programme concludes.
He urged residents to encourage persons whom they know that are in possession of illegal weapons to have them surrendered. “Tell them to carry it into the nearest Police station because after September month, I intend to be a ‘badman’. We coming down on all who we suspect that got arms and ammunition and if we find them is jail… I am promising, if you don’t bring them in this month, and we catch you, we are going to ensure you don’t get bail. And we are getting a lot of tip offs as to who and who got the guns,” the Minister cautioned. However, he did note that if there is an overwhelming request for an extension then he may entertain the thought and extend the amnesty for another month, possibly in December.
Ramjattan explained that he does not intend to make the programme an annual one but has opted to take this route in order to get as much illegal weapons and ammunition off of the streets.
The firearm amnesty programme will run until September 30. Persons interested in handing over firearms, ammunition or explosives can do so between 09:00h and 16:00h daily at selected Police stations identified in the various Police Divisions. It is being implemented through the GPF.
In A Division, the Timehri, Ruimveldt, Providence, East La Penitence, Brickdam and Albertown Police stations were selected for handovers to be done. The Fort Wellington, Blairmont, Central, Albion, Whim, Number 51 Village, Springlands and Mibicuri Police stations were air marked in B Division (Berbice).
Meanwhile, six Police stations were identified in the C Division namely Sparendaam, Beterverwagting, Vigilance, Cove and John, Mahaica and Mahaicony. Over at the D Division, the La Grange Police Station, Vreed-en-Hoop, Leonora and the Parika Police Station were selected.
The Kwakwani Police Station, Mabaruma, Wismar and Mackenzie Police stations were air marked in the E Division. However, in the F Division a total of 25 stations were indentified including Bartica, Kurupung, Aranka, Enachu, Issano, Lethem, Annai, Aishalton, Karasabai, Monkey Mountain and the Kato Police stations.
As well as the Mabaruma, Moruka, Yarrikita, Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Baramita, Kamarang, Eteringbang, Imbaimadai, Kaikan, Mahdia, Paruima, Kurupukari and Itabali Police stations. Then in the G Division the Suddie, Anna Regina, Charity, Wakenaam, Leguan and Aurora Police stations were listed as locations for handing over the illegal items.
The Public Security Ministry has assured that “all transaction conducted in relation to this specific amnesty period will be treated with strict confidentiality” while also warning that those who are found in possession of any illegal weapon, ammunition or explosive after the amnesty period will be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Guyana.