NEW YORK - FOLLOWING discussions with authorities of the United States Government, efforts are being made to stem the flow of illegal firearms into the Caribbean region, as the instances of gun violence continue unabatedly.
St. Kitts and Nevis is one of several territories within the region that voiced its displeasure over the number of illegal firearms being found in the territory that are subsequently being used in the commission of crimes, more specifically homicides.
Over the last decade, the Federation had averaged double digit homicides with more than 80 percent of them being carried out with the use of firearms.
Bahamas Prime Minister, Phillip Davis has been very vocal on the issue which continues to plague his territory, recently pointing out that many of the guns used in the commission of crimes are being linked to purchases in the United States.
“Illicit guns basically end up in the hands of criminals contributing to a high number of gun-related injuries and deaths. More than 90 percent of guns confiscated are used as murder weapons in The Bahamas can be traced back to American manufacturers and gun shops,” Davis lamented.
In a media statement Saturday evening (Oct. 21), State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, noted that “the United States continues to take steps to stem the illegal outflow of firearms from the United States to the Caribbean, including Haiti”.
“The U.S. Government is using new criminal authorities in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to identify and hold firearms traffickers accountable. To bolster these efforts, in June 2023 Vice President Harris announced the creation of a Department of Justice Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions, including Haiti. The Department of State is also supporting the regional Crime Gun Intelligence Unit in Trinidad and Tobago to help Caribbean partner nations solve gun-related crime cases, deter gun crimes in the region and bring criminals to justice,” Miller said while speaking on the topic of Haiti and the United Nations Security Council’s resolution.
In St. Kitts and Nevis, the country has recorded 23 homicides and 90 percent of them have been committed using firearms.
