Edmund G. Maduro blasts new gun law
Maduro made the statement with regards to the March 23, 2015 passage of the Firearm and Air Guns Amendment Act in the House of Assembly. He discussed the issue on his EGM Show on ZROD 103.7 FM last night June 18, 2015.
Prohibited are all shotguns and paint ball guns, also any firearm made up in the form of a propelling pen or pencil, capable of being used for discharging gas, bullets, shot, dye or pyrotechnic flares or is capable of discharging any irritant in liquid, powder, gas or chemical form, any pyrotechnic flare or dye, or any article known as a paint ball.
Prohibited also is any firearm that appears to be some other article such as a walking stick, cane or key ring in order to disguise or conceal the fact that it is a firearm, and any cannon or other weapon which will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, even if it is intended for life saving or distress signalling purposes.
Prohibited also is any device known as a powerhead that can be attached to the end of a spear gun and is designed to propel a projectile by means of an explosive and any electrical weapon such as that which is commonly known as Taser.
However, according to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, owners can apply to the Commissioner of Police for an exemption under section 7(2) of the Firearms and Air Guns (Amendment) Act 2015. Exemption can also be granted by the National Security Council.
Does common sense prevail anymore?
“We have a law that was recently passed and we have a Premier that is telling us that for the sole purpose of trying to control crime. How many crimes with these flare guns are being reported in the BVI?” Mr Maduro said.
“So a man innocently could have these flares. The police could now take him up and lock him away for five years and charge him a fine of $80,000. And you want to tell me that this is good governance?”
The talk show host and recent Territorial At Large candidate said there are rules and regulations that permit local fishing and other boats to carry flares and other things for which laws are made and they could be faced with a crime. “Are these leaders men of God or men of something else? Does common sense prevail anymore?” he asked.
"We have drawn hook, line and sinker from an Australian law without ensuring the protection of our people," he said. “Did they read the law that was passed? Are we saying that our elected representatives and our leaders are illiterate and they can’t read? Do they read these laws before they pass them?” asked Maduro.
"Illiteracy is running this country of ours. There is no wisdom," he said. He asked how it is that government could include a provision in the law that could see innocent, legitimate boatmen and fishermen becoming targets under the new law.
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15 Responses to “Edmund G. Maduro blasts new gun law”
I guess Edmund and those agreeing with him skipped this part of the article. SMH! Ignorance is bliss!
I guess this is one way of ensuring the cruise ships never come to the BVI, as they will all have them on board, BY LAW.