Time to get guns under control
The recent spate of shootings and armed robberies underscores the need for the Virgin Islands to take serious measures to combat gun crime.
Within the past two weeks, one person has been shot to death and a handful of others have been shot or robbed at gunpoint. Such violence must be stopped.
In recent years, guns have become a major problem here. From 2006-2010, firearms were used in 105 of 145 robberies and 14 of 20 murders, according to police statistics.
Unfortunately, tackling this problem is easier said than done, considering the territory’s proximity to a United States territory where legally possessing a gun is relatively easy.
Some residents have suggested routinely arming police officers here. We believe this step should be avoided if at all possible. It surely would motivate criminals to obtain larger weapons — and they already have high-powered assault rifles, such as the AK-47 that was confiscated recently.
Still, the territory could consider expanding the elite police task force whose officers carry guns. This undertaking, of course, would require the addition of more specially trained officers.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of other reasonable solutions to the gun problem. For an example of a good first step, the VI should look to the Bahamas, which recently set up an inter-agency task force to address the issue of illegal firearm possession. A similar group here could help plan and coordinate efforts.
At the same time, legislators should consider strengthening laws discouraging gun crime.
The Turks and Caicos Islands recently instituted a mandatory five-year prison sentence for illegal firearm possession — similar to the current United Kingdom penalty. Here, there is no mandatory sentence, and offenders have been known to walk away without doing prison time.
The TCI also tightened bail restrictions, requiring that bail applications for all firearm offences be heard by the territory’s High Court. The VI, where bailed defendants routinely reoffend, should consider similar steps.
The Bahamas also has reinstated a gun court to expedite the prosecution of firearm offenders. The VI’s population, which is less than a tenth of the Bahamas’, probably doesn’t justify a separate court, but the territory should consider other ways to expedite prosecutions.
Until such measures are in place, the court system should do all it can within the existing legal framework to ensure that convicted firearm offenders receive suitably stiff punishments.
The territory also should redouble its efforts to keep guns out. To that end, police, customs and immigration officers should continue endeavouring to work more closely together. Recent collaborations have met with success, but more needs to be done, even if more resources are needed.
Perhaps most importantly, the community as a whole should take a strong stand against gun crime. Residents who know where guns are hidden or who witness a crime have a responsibility to make a police report. Turning a blind eye is unacceptable — particularly now that the police accept anonymous tips through the international Crime Stoppers organisation.
During this election season, candidates should put forward specific proposals for tackling gun crime, showing voters that they are serious about this important issue.
Only by collaborating on all fronts and working conscientiously together will the community successfully confront the scourge of gun violence that is threatening the fabric of this society. It’s time to get tough.