by Curlan Campbell
- Shooting range at Petit Etang, St David established in 2003
- Firearms Act of 1968 last amended in 2008
- Police concerned on overall safety and security of nation
Grenada’s Firearms Act of 1968 needs to evolve to regulate and accommodate the sport of recreational shooting following its recognition as an official sport by the Grenada Olympic Association.
Under the Act, last amended in 2008, low-powered air weapons including air rifles and air pistols (air guns), used in recreational or sport shooting are considered “small arms” and are therefore regulated, except for the .68 paint gun.
The Act interprets a firearm as “any lethal barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other missiles can be discharged, or any restricted weapon or, unless the context otherwise requires, any prohibited weapon; and includes any component part of any such weapon and any accessory to any such weapon designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon, but does not include an Air rifle, Air gun, or Air Pistol of a type prescribed by the Minister and of a calibre so prescribed.”
On Wednesday, 11 January 2023, Grenada Gun and Rifle Association (GGRA) Executives held their first executive meeting with other stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Sport, Paralympics Association, Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) and the Grenada Tourism Authority, to chart the way forward for the development of the sport.
President Duane Noel said it was crucial to engage these stakeholders especially the RGPF to ensure going forward all are involved in the decision-making process, especially concerning crafting new insertions into the legislation that will ensure the safe, ethical and responsible regulation and use of low-powered air guns, pistols, shotguns and rifles for sport shooting.
He said the current regulation did not foresee the development in sport shooting as it is now. In addition, other countries in the region have laws and policies that specifically address Sport Shooting, and Grenada needs to develop laws to accommodate sport shooting. Due to the lack of proper regulation, the GGRA is at a disadvantage when compared to other associations regionally and internationally in terms of their access to proper sporting guns, which affects their ability to prepare for competitions.
“When we compete internationally, we are competing against individuals who are younger than us and have access to better sporting guns. It therefore means we are at a disadvantage in Grenada when travelling to compete. The change to the legislation is critical to help in the development of this sport. We have persons on board who will work along and guide us in making suitable recommendations to the RGPF, who will have their input and hopefully these can be added to their final draft submission,” Noel said.
While the RGPF has taken a partnership stakeholder approach to the development of sport shooting in Grenada, they have expressed concerns regarding the overall safety and security of the nation.
During his address to the executives of the GGRA, Police Commissioner Edvin Martin expressed concern about the proliferation of illegal firearm possession among the populace. He stated that for the year 2022 the RGPF seized 30 illegal firearms compared to 13 from the previous year. He said there are other pressing issues regarding the number of reported shootings and while these incidents have claimed no lives, he said it is still cause for concern. Another area of concern is the potential for replica air guns to get into the hands of unlicenced owners and the potential to be used in illegal activities because of their close proximity in appearance to a real high-power gun.
The Police Commissioner also pointed to the need for the association to assist in addressing the proliferation of air rifles and their use in the hunting of endangered species outside of the stipulated season. Martin, while applauding the association for stepping up its security and safety precautions at the range, reminded that there was still room for improvement and provided several recommendations for the GGRA to consider.
Commissioner Martin also informed the GGRA membership that RGPF has finalised new firearm licence cards, which will soon be issued once a determination can be made whether there will be a charge for firearm holders.
The GGRA president is anticipating the growth of its membership to involve younger people, including recruiting more women interested in the sport. He said as part of this drive to grow their membership, there are a few areas that must be addressed. “It will involve making changes to our own policy as it relates to the age you can start shooting. We are in the process of putting together a plan to submit to the RGPF so that we can determine at what age young people can start shooting. Also, access to the range is one of our biggest challenges for members who are from the Paralympics. It therefore means access to the range would be extremely difficult. As such, an alternative range facility is required.”
Meanwhile, discussions continue between the GGRA and the Ministry of Sports to have the sport earmarked for 2023 inclusion into the sporting calendar now that the GGRA is an affiliated body of the Grenada Olympic Association.
Since establishing the shooting range at Petit Etang, St David in 2003, the GGRA boasts of no major incidents or injuries. This is testament to the level of safety and security measures that are put in place. Noel believes this level of security and safety can further be maintained and improved by continuing to educate its members on gun safety and developing new training programmes in the future.
What are the regulations for importing a .68 Paintball pistol? I understand it is the exception from the other ‘airgun’ regs.
The problem is illegal guns, not licensed guns in the possession responsible persons.
The gun is not the problem it is the person who pulls the trigger to harm others. My guns have never harmed anyone, they do not go off by themselves and they are quite happy residing in a locked safe until I take them to shooting competitions at proper shooting ranges.
Grenada should never embrace the gun culture.
If you don’t have a gun can’t use a gun.
It is the same narrative used in the U.S
Sport shooting is one of the oldest Olympic sports.
The seizure of illegal firearms prompts a clamp down on legal firearms ownership? What is the connection?
LOL small island people.
shooting is a regular olympic sport. Legal firearms are never involved in crime, its the illegal firerms that kill people, so these dumb people with zero knowledge of this sport of real life need to STFU and allow the sportsmen to have their safe sports.
What is there to shoot? Get a hunting dog if you want to hunt.
Every firearm must be banned in Grenada, with the exception of the police.
Before you know it guns will be all over Grenada. Mr PM don’t be fulled, Guns are dangerous and the statics shows, once guns are around, folks will die.
Do not allow this group to take hold in Grenada. They should be outlawed immediately.
Giving up Grenada status as one of the safest place on earth is at stake here. Ban this group immediately.
What are they practicing to shoot? Deer, bears, elephants? No such animals in Grenada.
Are they practicing to shoot humans? They must be banned. This group must be outlawed forthwith.
Your sound ignorant
Take the time to learn about sport shooting. The GGRA is a sport shooting organization. Shooting is one if the oldest Olympic sports. Do not associate criminals with sportsmen! If you do not like shooting you should respect those who do. There are some who do not like Cricket and basketball and some who associate playing cards with gambling! Would you consider Olympic fencing the same as a murderer practicing to chop people?
I agree. It seems this group is trying to front itself as the American NRA.
The right to bear arms is not in Grenada’s constitution and no accommodation should be made to appease this group.
A banklet ban should be in place for the importation of all fire arms.
The GGRA promotes the safe and responsible use of firearms. Does Grenada have a problem with firearms? Most murders (over 99%) are committed with cutlasses and knives. The seizure of illegal weapons by the authorities is commendable! But is it a reason to clamp down of legal firearms? Will that stop illegal guns form entering Grenada? What is the connection? The innocent must pay for the guilty by law?
Illegal gun confiscation bears no connection to legal gun ownership