CTUSAB wants firearms restricted to police, military

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has urged authorities to take bold action to stem the flow of guns into the country by banning any new civilian gun licences and restricting firearm ownership to security forces.

CTUSAB President Ryan Phillips made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, where he outlined the organisation’s concerns about the availability of firearms and the challenges surrounding their illegal importation into the country.

“CTUSAB has made the contention that guns are not manufactured in Barbados, so it is left to ascertain the sources by which guns make their entry into the island,” he said. “There is the knowledge that both security and surveillance systems at the Bridgetown Port and the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) have been constantly upgraded. Yet questions are continually raised about the entry of illegal firearms into Barbados.”

Phillips highlighted several gaps that may be exploited by criminals, including the island’s extensive coastline and the increase in private yachts and other vessels entering local seaports outside of the Bridgetown Port. He also raised concerns about the emergence of firearms made largely from plastic materials, which make detection more difficult.

He explained: “As a small island with several miles accessible to private seagoing vehicles, an increase in private yachts entering the seaports, the un-stuffing of containers away from surveillance areas, and with the construction of guns with high concentrations of plastic; these have made detection and policing challenging exercises. However, what is a point of concern would be the anecdotal information which points to high levels of corruption and the presence of syndicates responsible for the movement of both drugs and guns.”

Phillips clarified that while he did not advocate for confiscating firearms already licensed to private citizens, CTUSAB’s position was that new firearm ownership should be restricted strictly to law enforcement and national security agencies.

“We believe that the individual right to own a gun should be restricted to state law enforcement and protection agencies and that no individual should be granted a gun permit,” the CTUSAB president said.

“Possession of guns should be restricted to police and military agencies only. This may be unpopular, but it is a measure worth considering as a first step to halt the ready access to guns.

“It will call for political will, but this can be achieved, provided that the general public is prepared to support those politicians who pledge to make that action a priority. While exact data is not available, it is generally felt that less than 10 per cent of all Barbadians own legal firearms. The assumption can be made that the number of guns in private hands could increase as long as there is access to them. With an imposed ban on handguns, the need can be reduced,” he added.

Phillips issued a challenge for Barbados to lead the region by becoming the first Caribbean nation to enact such a ban.

“The call is for Barbados to show courage and become the first Caribbean country that places a ban on firearm ownership except for security services,” he said.

CTUSAB General Secretary Dennis de Peiza echoed Phillips’ concerns and pointed out possible vulnerabilities at sea entry points.

“If guns are coming in and can be assembled, and we have landing sites in Barbados where there is no surveillance… take for example the fishing boats. Some years ago, one came up from St Vincent and the captain got locked up for a whole set of marijuana or whatever was on that boat. The same way guns can be coming in on the fishing boats, but nobody checks to see, besides fish, what else is in the cargo.

“When you go down to the north where the big ups arrive on their yachts… who knows what inspection goes on those ships? Have you ever heard about anything illegal at those ports that have been for the rich and famous? Certainly, some things might be happening that we don’t know [about],” he said.

shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb