Crime
TCI Gun Amnesty makes a come-back; ends October 15
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, September 16, 2022 – The firearms’ amnesty ‘re-launch’ in honor of Justin Cox Beckles will start on Thursday, September 15th according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The amnesty, in partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands Christian Council, the Police, and the Government, was announced by Governor Nigel Dakin in a press conference on September 5th after a weekend of gun violence left four people dead and several others injured.
The murders occurred on the same weekend that Justin Cox Beckles and Paulanjo Gardiner, both victims of gun violence themselves, were being laid to rest. Cox-Beckles was killed while he was having a night out, an argument escalated and led to his shocking death. Police say no witnesses, though there were many, have come forward with
The Amnesty themed “Surrender A Gun, Save A Life” will run for a month, similar to the amnesty, which launched earlier this year; this one ends on October 15th.
“During the Amnesty period, any person illegally in possession, custody, or control of any Firearm, explosive or ammunition may voluntarily surrender or disclose the location of the firearm, explosive or ammunition to the officer in charge of a Police Station, a designated Pastor, or Police post,” informed the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police in a statement.
The disclosure of the weapons will come with no charges relating to illegal possession, custody, or control of that firearm, explosive or ammunition for the person who reports it.
If residents with illegal weapons miss the gun amnesty and are caught with the gun after they will face seven years in prison at the least.
The new gun amnesty was announced at a Prayer Service at the Kingdom Dominion International Church.