The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is expressing gratitude to citizens who have voluntarily handed over illegal weapons, even before the announcement of a national amnesty. This initiative is part of their efforts to reduce crime and violence in the country.
In their statement, the police emphasized that those surrendering illegal firearms will not face prosecution. So far, two individuals have turned in four firearms and 40 rounds of ammunition. These include a Glock 22-C pistol, a Glock 33 pistol, a .38 revolver, and a 12-gauge shotgun. The ammunition consisted of 30 rounds of .9mm, seven rounds of .40mm, and three rounds of .38mm, along with two magazines.
The police are reminding everyone that owning an illegal firearm and ammunition can lead to a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, a fine of EC$20,000, or both, as per the current law in the magistrate’s court. They also hinted that this penalty might increase in 2024 through new legislation.
The RSVGPF’s statement concludes with a call for community involvement in making St Vincent and the Grenadines safer and more peaceful. They reported 55 confirmed homicides in 2023, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in combating crime.
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