Trinidad & Tabago, a rustic of 1.4 million folks, had a homicide price of 45.7 per 100,000 folks in 2024. Murders have been steadily rising in recent times and reached their highest homicide price ever final yr. Gangs are a significant factor, with 43.68% of murders associated to gang exercise.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is encouraging law-abiding residents to use for his or her firearm customers’ licences (FULs) and says her authorities already has begun to work on ‘stand your floor’ and anti-home invasion legal guidelines.
Whereas campaigning previous to the overall election, the United Nationwide Congress (UNC) had indicated that the nation’s present self-defense legal guidelines are insufficient.
At yesterday’s publish Cupboard information convention, the PM additionally revealed that the legal guidelines governing FULs are being assessed.
She is encouraging residents to use.
“We can be reviewing shortly the firearm license legal guidelines. Bear in mind we’ve mentioned we’ll contemplate giving authorized firearms to law-abiding residents? However they may solely be given to individuals who need it,” the PM mentioned. . . .
The UNC made authorized gun possession, ‘stand your floor’ and anti-home invasion legal guidelines a pillar of its marketing campaign technique.
“Our proposal means placing into our legal guidelines the authorized precept that enables an individual to make use of pressure in self-defence with out retreating. Proper now, you’ll be able to solely use cheap pressure however this precept, additionally fort doctrine, states people have the suitable to make use of pressure, together with lethal pressure, to guard themselves towards an intruder of their houses. The legislation will shield owners, businesspeople and occupiers after they use pressure, together with lethal pressure, towards any intruder who unlawfully and forcibly enters their residence,” Mrs Persad-Bissessar had mentioned in the course of the marketing campaign. . . .
“PM Kamla: Apply on your FUL,” Guardian Trinidad & Tobago, Could 10, 2025.
