MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police in Mandeville say they are seeing a marked increase in the number of people seeking assistance from the police to store their firearms when travelling overseas.

“Since the case of the man who lost six firearms to thieves was highlighted, we have been getting a lot of calls from persons seeking advice as to what to do with their licensed firearm when leaving the island,” a senior officer told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Police last week reported that the accused, David McMorris, was slapped with a charge of negligence after he  left six of his licensed firearms in a safe at his house in Manchester, and left the island.

Reports are that days after he left the island, criminals broke into his house and allegedly stole the weapons.

Police said McMorris was apprehended for breaching Section 4 of the Firearms Act.

“The law states that persons leaving the island should turn over their licensed firearm to the nearest police station or the Firearm Licensing Authority,” the police said.

Kimmo Matthews