Expert: gun in good working order

A firearms expert testified today that both the .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) semi-automatic and the nine rounds of ammunition presented to him were in good working condition.

Acting Station Sergeant Roger Bullard was giving evidence in the No. 3 Supreme Court when the firearm and ammunition trial against Kemal Mario Straker got under way.

Straker, 20, of #15 Clapham Park, St Michael, pleaded not guilty today to having a firearm in his possession along with nine rounds of ammunition on February 9, 2020.

Bullard told the court he has been attached to the Forensics Scenes of Crime Unit for the past 11 years and has conducted hundreds of firearm identifications.

He recalled that he was on duty on April 1, 2020, when a .45 ACP pistol and nine rounds of ammunition were submitted to him for examination.

Bullard said even though the serial number of the submitted handgun had been “obliterated” a function check showed it to be in good working condition.

He said he subsequently test fired the pistol using the ammunition and also found it to be in good working order.

“Based on my examination and test I formed several conclusions: one, that the submitted .45 ACP standard Taurus semi-automatic pistol is a firearm as defined by the Firearms Act of Barbados; and two that the submitted nine .45 calibre cartridges are ammunition as defined by the Firearms Act of Barbados,” Bullard explained.

Under cross-examination by Straker’s attorney Bryan Weekes, Bullard said the firearm and the ammunition had been delivered to him in a gun box by Constable Juemane Daniel.

He said the items had already been taped for identification purposes.

Bullard said neither Daniel nor himself was wearing gloves at the time the firearm and ammunition were delivered. Senior State Counsel Neville Watson is prosecuting the matter which is being heard before Justice Carlisle Greaves.