Prime Minister says Grenada under threat from illegal importation of firearms

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Grenada, January 20, 2023 – Another Caribbean Leader, Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell, is admitting that his country is under threat from the illegal importation of guns and ammunition.

Mitchel made the revelation while addressing questions at a town hall meeting held in the country on the weekend.

“I want us to understand that our island(s) are under constant threat from the importation of small firearms in particular. They are coming in barrels, they are coming in containers, and don’t be fooled, we are probably the last bastion of little or no gun violence in the region,” he stated.

In highlighting some countries in the region that have major issues with crime, the Prime Minister urged citizens not to take their safety for granted.

“St Lucia is rampant with shootings left, right, and centre. We don’t need to talk about our neighbours to the south Trinidad, we don’t need to talk about Barbados or Jamaica.

“I don’t want us to take our safety for granted. Firearms are also seen as sports, there are ranges people will go to shoot the guns on the range and then go home, but the idea that we should be walking around with firearms in my view is inimical to our culture, to our way of life,” The Prime Minister said.

In recent weeks, guns and ammunition were discovered at Grenada’s George’s Port after Customs and Police officers conducted searches. In addition, the Police have confiscated several illegal firearms as part of drug bust operations and search warrants throughout 2022.

Mitchell’s revelation comes at a time when several Caribbean countries have been calling on the US to do more to help curb the export of illegal guns to the region.