In an effort to bring about greater clarity and effectiveness for persons applying for possession of a legal firearm in the country, three additional persons have been appointed to serve on the newly created Firearms and Licensing Board for three years.
Pursuant to Section 2A(C) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act No. 18 of 2022, the Minister for National Security, with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers effected the latest appointments.
In addition to the recommendations approved by Cabinet, the board will comprise the Commissioner of Police as the Chairperson and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security. According to sources from the Office of the Prime Minister, the board has not yet convened because the final requirement of fully publishing the composition of the board in the Gazette has not been met.
Last July, during the debate on the Firearms (Amendment) Act, Prime Minister and Minister for National Security Philip J. Pierre, highlighted the merits of expanding the pool of persons to vet and approve firearm licenses to individuals who are responsible and law-abiding citizens. He also indicated that the application process will remain the same, but the formation would allow for a more vigorous and transparent process.
“The Firearms Licensing Board is a creature of an amendment to the Firearms Amendment Act…it was not a secret, it was debated in parliament and an amendment to the act was dealt (with) in parliament in open season,” stated PM Pierre, at a media briefing, Monday.
Prior to the amendment of the Act, the licensing of firearms was the sole responsibility of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the prime minister, the following persons were appointed for a period of two years, namely; Severin Monchery- former Commissioner of Police, Rumelia King – Counsellor, and Samuel Brice – Businessman. The other members of the board includes the Police Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security.
PM Pierre added: “That board has approved not one license…and so it is a complete falsehood,” in response to allegations that the Board had approved gun license certificates.
He said, it was wrong to “impugn improper motives of these people” of such high esteem, and “to tell the public …to tell millions of persons that these people are corrupt, and involved in bribery etc., is wrong”.
“We cannot allow politics to put us in that situation …these are blatant lies, these are not innuendos, these are lies, falsehoods, misinformation …and worse than fake news aimed at destabilising the country,” declared the national security minister.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister has denounced accusations levelled against the government by the opposition stating that a social media post by the opposition’s UnitedPac Saint Lucia, last Saturday was false.
The Office of the Prime Minister claimed that, “The allegations are blatant falsehoods, easily refuted by the fact that the Firearm Licensing Board has never met and therefore has not issued any approvals.
“These malicious accusations and character assassinations only seek to undermine our institutions and create fear and distrust in society by a Party which is reckless and ruthless, hiding behind anonymous profiles.”