Judge: Gunman paralyzing society with fear

A High Court judge lamented on Friday that the continued indiscriminate use of illegal guns has the Barbadian society “almost paralyzed with fear”, with honest law-abiding citizens afraid to leave their homes.

And pointing to recent shooting incidents on the country’s streets, one of which led to the death of a bystander, Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell said the possession and reckless use of firearms must be stamped out, and sentences imposed on offenders should be enough to serve as a deterrent to others.

She made the comments as she addressed the No.4 Supreme Court in the sentencing of known offender Leandro Renaldo Dominic Pope, of Lower Holders Hill, St James.

Pope had admitted to having possession of a .380-calibre semi-automatic pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition on March 6, 2017. He also pleaded guilty to the March 2, 2017 charges of using a firearm without a licence and engaging in conduct which placed Akeel Scott in danger of death or serious bodily harm when he shot at him.

Justice Smith-Bovell said that from the facts, Pope, who has over a dozen convictions, readily admitted that he went to a public place where two men were liming and discharged the firearm in their direction as he felt disrespected by one of them. Both men ran and while one escaped uninjured the other was shot.

“This type of behaviour exhibited by the now-convicted man must be of great concern to right-thinking members of society. We know of at least one case recently where a woman lost her life as an innocent bystander . . . .

“The possession and reckless use of discharging firearms must be stamped out and any sentence imposed must act as a deterrent both for the now-convicted man and other members of society who are thinking of engaging in this reckless behaviour,” the judge said.

“It bears repeating . . . . [that] there’s no right to bear arms, it is totally against the culture and social norms of this country for persons to have and use unlicensed firearms indiscriminately or at all. Firearms engender a sense of fear in citizens. The prevalence of illegal firearms and continued indiscriminate use has our society almost paralyzed with fear as honest law-abiding citizens are afraid to venture from home, as the most benign of outings [have] now become a battlefield of gunplay.”

Referencing the recent shooting at Browne’s Beach when citizens had to scamper to safety because of “gunplay between lawless individuals who have no consideration for anyone”, the judge said “this type of reckless and indiscriminate use of illegal firearms . . . is a grave source of danger to society”.

She imposed a starting sentence of 14 years on Pope for endangering life and use of firearm charges and 12 years of gun possession. However, several deductions saw the starting point reduced to 12 years and 10 years, respectively.

Pope was also credited for the time he had spent on remand, his guilty plea and for the delay in his case which as of Friday left him with four years, 257 days to serve on each of the use of the firearm and endangering life charges. He was sentenced to three years, 175 days each for the possession of the firearm and possession of ammunition offences.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Pope has been ordered to undergo psychological counselling and participate in any treatment programmes deemed necessary to promote his rehabilitation and to learn a skill during his period of incarceration.