KINGSTON, Jamaica— A 31-year-old farmer from Lawrence Town who was arrested and charged with possession of an imitation firearm, was granted $400,000 bail when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Friday.

Acting on a search warrant, the police reportedly went to the home of the father and discovered the gun in a safe on July 31.

Upon being asked why the gun was in the safe, the father reportedly told the police it was to prevent his son from continuously playing with it.

Following a police interview, the father was charged with possession of an imitation firearm under the firearms act.

The farmer’s attorney, King’s Counsel, Peter Champagnie, informed the court that the gun in question was a toy gun which was bought online for his client’s 10-year-old son for a Career Day at school.

In applying for bail, Champagnie called for changes to the law which now makes such circumstances punishable by imprisonment. This he cited as being unjust where there are no allegations that such a gun was used to commit a crime.

The accused man is set to return to court on September 17, 2025.