Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Licensed firearm holders not the problem
Letters
August 21, 2018

Licensed firearm holders not the problem

Dear Editor,

Here’s a startling fact: licensed firearm holders outnumber the combined security forces by 6:1

Here’s the math for the JCF:

Total sworn personnel — approx 12,000,

less 1,500 on vacation/study leave,

less 500 on suspension,

less 3,000 on administrative or support duties.

Balance = 7,000

And here’s the math for the JDF:

Total enlisted personnel — approx 5,000,

less 300 on vacation/study leave,

less 100 on suspension,

less 600 on administrative or support duties.

Balance = 4,000

Total left to fight crime on any one day = 11,000.

There are over 60,000 licensed firearm holders in Jamaica.

Criminals don’t fear the police or the law. Therefore they must be made to fear their victims.

The security forces are uniformed and visible and therefore easily avoided by criminals. They work regular hours, and if some are to be believed, they are generally demotivated. They lack decent working conditions and resources.

Licensed firearm holders are invisible, unnoticed. We go about our business every day and come home every night. We are always on duty. We are motivated to protect our lives and the lives of our families. The criminals don’t know who we really are.

It is this fear of the unknown that is helping to keep them at bay. It is licensed firearm holders that are helping to keep our neighbourhoods and communities safe. It is licensed firearm holders that are helping to keep our business districts and streets safe.

Yet licensed firearm holders are vilified and maligned by various authorities and in the press. Any incident involving a licensed firearm holder is splashed across the front pages. The seizure of his firearm or worse, the revocation of his licence is made public… putting him and his family at further risk from criminals. There are dozens of anecdotal reports of victimisation of licensed firearm holders by the security forces.

Sometimes it seems as if the criminals have more rights than us the law-abiding citizens.

I understand we are not all perfect, but how come the public is only fed the bad news? How come the public is only told about the few who might have made mistakes? Where is the good news? Where is the good news about the licensed firearm holder who protected his family or his co-workers with his licensed firearm?

By the recent numbers, it seems fewer than only about 0.5 per cent of licensed firearm holders have run afoul of the law. Statistically, that is a very low number compared to the thousands of law-abiding, responsible licensed firearm holders.

Isn’t it time the authorities recognise us for the role we play in helping to keep crime under some semblance of control? Isn’t it time that licensed firearm holders are appreciated for what we do?

Licensed firearm holders are not the problem, as being portrayed to the public. It is about time that the media and the authorities acknowledge the vital role we play in Jamaica. The fact is that we are good guys!

One of the Good Guys

Kingston

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Golding spends afternoon with incoming UWI students at Orientation Village
Latest News, News
Golding spends afternoon with incoming UWI students at Orientation Village
August 21, 2026
Opposition Leader Mark Golding spent the afternoon at the University of the West Indies, Mona, joining incoming students at Orientation Village. He wa...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Music video and film director Benny Boom set for screenwriters workshop
Entertainment, Latest News
Music video and film director Benny Boom set for screenwriters workshop
KEVIN JACKSON, Observer writer 
August 21, 2026
Respected American film and music video director Benny Boom is among several celebrities who will participate in the fourth annual Screenwriter’s Work...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Man feared drowned in Lethe, St James
Latest News, News
Man feared drowned in Lethe, St James
August 21, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica — A man is believed to have drowned in Lethe, St James. The St James police and members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade are now on the s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaican woman charged after allegedly defrauding 74-y-o in Florida
International News, Latest News
Jamaican woman charged after allegedly defrauding 74-y-o in Florida
August 21, 2026
A Jamaican woman was arrested and charged after allegedly defrauding a 74-year-old woman of US $8,000 in Florida. Twenty-five-year-old Amoye Jameison ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Seychella brings ‘villa’ experience to St Mary
Entertainment, Latest News
Seychella brings ‘villa’ experience to St Mary
August 21, 2026
ST MARY, Jamaica—Seychella Beach Society returned to East Beach in St Mary on Saturday, August 15, drawing approximately 1,200 patrons for a day of mu...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Alleged Ambrook Lane gangster killed, firearm seized in police operation
Latest News, News
Alleged Ambrook Lane gangster killed, firearm seized in police operation
August 21, 2026
A man was shot dead and an illegal firearm seized during a police confrontation at Robert Close in Kingston 10 on Friday morning. The dead man has bee...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Argentina’s Paredes suspended for 10 games for World Cup fight
International News, Latest News
Argentina’s Paredes suspended for 10 games for World Cup fight
August 21, 2026
PARIS, France (AFP)—Midfielder Leandro Paredes and several Argentina team-mates have received bans and fines for their part in clashes with Spain play...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Arsenal sign Villa centre-back Konsa as champions bolster defence
International News, Latest News
Arsenal sign Villa centre-back Konsa as champions bolster defence
August 21, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Premier League champions Arsenal have signed England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a deal worth a reported £51 ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct