Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)
At the Ministry of Home Affair’s end-of-year press conference, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn told reporters “If you have an illegal gun, pass by the police station, put it in a bag and throw it in the yard”.
Persons in possession of illegal firearms are urged to hand them in to the nearest police station. Since the country does not have a gun amnesty programme, they are advised to toss the weapons into the police station or otherwise hand them in anonymously.
Benn stated that the Ministry is seeking to amend the country’s legislation for stricter penalties to be imposed on persons carrying illegal firearms.
He lamented the fact that bail can be issued for persons with illegal guns, as “this shouldn’t be given bail”.
“We don’t want a society in which people have guns all over the place”.
During the conference, it was revealed that the incidents of murder and gun-related crimes have been on the increase, and a total of 149 illegal firearms being taken off the streets.
On a lighter note, the Guyana Police Force recorded a 17% decrease in serious crimes, with a more than 60% clear up rate by the end of 2023.