AMOS... some of the weapons taken in are being sent for ballistic tests

WESTERN BUREAU -- Head of the St James police, Superintendent Newton Amos says persons applying for or renewing gun licences will come under closer scrutiny.

Amos' tightening of the licensing of firearms comes amid reports that licensed firearm holders in St James were either in support of or being targeted by criminals in need of arms.

"The methodology being used will be more stringent in terms of status and qualification," the police superintendent said.

Further, Amos said he would be personally handling the renewal of all firearm licences.

"Firearm holders will have to report to me for the renewal, with their weapon and they have to take it in personally so I can identify the photograph with the person who carries this weapon," Amos said.

"I am the person dealing with the inspection... I have to do that... Next year, knowing I had done that this year, then probably I can delegate one of my deputies to assist me with renewal. But as the person who is here newly, I have to see them to satisfy myself that this is what I am signing to," Amos added.

A case in point, Amos said, was that of a Montego Bay businessman who showed up at the station for a renewal of his five guns, without one of the weapons. The superintendent later found the man could not account for the weapon.

Now, a decision is to be taken as to whether the man is to be charged.

"The matter is still at a very delicate stage in the investigations (but) we intend to proffer charge because it is a breach of the Firearms Act for a weapon to be stolen, missing or misplaced and not reported. So we are looking at that aspect of it. By the end of this week I am expecting the file to come to me to make a definitive decision on it," the superintendent said.

At the same time, Amos said the renewal process was fairly simply, save for those licensed holders who have been linked to criminal elements.

"If you were issued the licence from before and you come in for renewal we simply look at it (the weapon). If we have intelligence that you (a licensed holder) may have done something in that you are in league with or in the company of criminals or undesirables, we may want to look at it to see if you still should be in possession of the weapon. And a number of those (firearm holders) in Montego Bay fall into that category. They got the weapon okay but they fall down the road in the company of drugs people and all kind of thing," he said.

To date, Amos said, the police had handled 800 firearm licence renewals. He refused to say whether anyone was denied the licence but, he said, a number of weapons were sent for ballistic testing to see whether they were used in a crime.

"Some of the weapons that were taken in are being sent to ballistic to have them checked to find out if they were fired in recent times or if there are associated with any crime," he added.

According to Amos, the checks were being made in light of allegations surrounding licensed firearm holders.

"There are allegations that there are some firearm holders who are assisting the criminal underworld with bullets. (Further) People who have firearms and know that this man has a legal firearm they will go to them and ask them to give them rounds for practice and then those rounds are used to do criminal acts," he said.

And with some 37 guns and 1,750 rounds of ammunition seized in the parish since the start of the year, Amos said the criminals were desperate for weaponry.

"So, indications are that not only firearms, but the ammunition is being dried up on the street... The criminal underworld is suffering under the absence of these weapons and so they are targeting licensed firearm holders," he said, adding that the police had received five reports of firearm theft since the year began.

"Firearm holders have to be very careful and be very watchful of the weapons that they have because there is some sign that quite a number of them have been targeted and the criminals have been successful so far. Homes are being broken into in some built-up areas like West Gate Hills and so on and it would seem the intent is to lay their hands on weapons and ammunition," he warned.

Meanwhile, Amos said new applications would not be processed until June when the renewals were completed.

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