Illegal firearms imported says Deputy Police Commissioner; licensing of guns returning

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 12, 2022 – “The reality is that firearms are being imported into the TCI obviously they’re coming in from the United States or sometimes we find one or two on go fast boats and sloops coming out of Haiti or Jamaica.” says Deputy Commissioner of Royal TCI Police, Rodney Adams.

As gun crimes rise in the Turks and Caicos and police and government embark on a new campaign to get rid of them the question was raised in recent press conference, where are the guns coming from?

Adams maintained that while there are some homemade weapons, the majority are imported. He outlined plans to curb this.

“What we are going to be doing is stepping up our game at the borders as well. Some of that work is being done and we are going to get even better at it, the reality is this in being proactive we can deal with this.”

In terms of islanders who want to own a gun for protection do it the right way is the message from DCP Adams.

He acknowledged that the Turks and Caicos had not been granting gun licenses for some time but said he recognized that people have valid reasons for requesting licensed firearms including protection and assured that the process will restart soon.

The good news is that that is all changed, a number of applications that have been on file are now processed and if you meet the right criteria and we find you to be a fit and proper person based on the law you will be issued a firearm liscence.”

This is all part of the effort to remove illegal guns from the streets and cultivate a culture of legal and responsible gun ownership in the Turks and Caicos Acting commissioner Adams said.

The gun amnesty is now open for anyone who would like to rid themselves of an illegal weapon without prosecution.