by Linda Straker
- Despite increase in gun seizures, police are not certain about impact on society
- In 2022, about 12 firearms were seized; thus far for 2023 that number exceeds 45
- Of 18 homicides between January to October, 6 were gun shootings
Don McKenzie, Commissioner of Police in Grenada said there has been a 300% increase of illegal firearms confiscated by police between January to October 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022.
“For 2023 thus far, we have seen a significant increase in the seizure of firearms. In 2022 there were a total of about 12 firearms being seized; thus far for 2023 that number is in excess of 45. We are seizing, as you can see there is an increase of over 300% when compared to last year,” he said during a news conference on Monday, 27 November 2023.
“Clearly there is a thirst for firearms within the state…it is a viable business now for some countries to export weapons to Grenada. In their country it is plenty, and the price is down. In Grenada it is a fair price, they consider it a fair price, Grenadians seem to think that,” he said, admitting that despite the increase in gun seizures, the police are not certain about the impact on society.
“The unfortunate thing is that we do not know for a fact whether these seizures lead to a reduction of firearms within our society because clearly you can seize 45 but if 90 came into the country, we have no way to tell,” said McKenzie. He claims that a lot of men use firearms as part of their trade while there are others who think that having a firearm can add to that mature feeling.
Most of the people charged for possession or use of an illegal firearm are young males. Police records show that there has been an increase in gun-related violent crimes for 2023. McKenzie said that of the 18 homicides between January to October, 6 were gun shootings. Four homicides are currently under investigation.
The police should equip officers with these firearms, somehow I have a feeling many are not junk guns but rather of good quality if coming in new from other countries. Be assured this illegal gun trade will not stop and will grow as long as the demand exists.