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‘There are too many guns in this territory’- Gov Rankin

- said substantial amount of killings in VI connected to the cocaine trade
With an apparent increase in gun crimes in the territory, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has said there is a need for action through the Police, Immigration and Customs to have increased controls and supervision of what’s coming into the territory to reduce the illicit import of firearms. Photo: Facebook
Speaking during a press conference today, June 9, 2023, to update the public on his Third Quarterly Review on the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations, Governor John J. Rankin said while the VI remains overall a low crime jurisdiction, the number of shootings and murders that have taken place is a concern which he shares with everyone else within the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Speaking during a press conference today, June 9, 2023, to update the public on his Third Quarterly Review on the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations, Governor John J. Rankin said while the VI remains overall a low crime jurisdiction, the number of shootings and murders that have taken place is a concern which he shares with everyone else within the territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With an apparent increase in gun crimes in the territory, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has said there is a need for action through the Police, Immigration and Customs to have increased controls and supervision of what’s coming into the territory to reduce the illicit import of firearms.

Speaking during a press conference today, June 9, 2023, to update the public on his Third Quarterly Review on the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations, Governor Rankin said while the VI remains overall a low crime jurisdiction, the number of shootings and murders that have taken place is a concern which he shares with everyone else within the territory.

Too many guns!

“First of all, there are too many guns in this territory.  The guns are the guns that are carrying out the shootings,” Mr Rankin stated.

The Governor also said a substantial amount of the murders which take place in the territory are related to the problem of the illicit transport of drugs through the territory.

“I don’t think this is talked about enough. The cocaine flow through this territory and the gangs which run the cocaine flow are directly linked to a number of the murders and shootings which have taken place.

“And so we need to tackle that issue.”

Governor Rankin said he will be making further statements on the issues in “fairly short course.”

He also said there is a need to get the Police Act back into the House of Assembly.

26 Responses to “‘There are too many guns in this territory’- Gov Rankin”

  • Sowande fault (09/06/2023, 15:37) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Here we go again
  • Agree. (09/06/2023, 15:38) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    Only one way to get them in here, through our Ports..Figure that out, its your Job to find a solution, correct the wrong..
  • Guest (09/06/2023, 15:41) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    Nooooo, you don’t say… Groundbreaking stuff there Inspector Gadget just groundbreaking. We would truly be lost with out your genius observations. Who knew??
  • Keep the pressure on (09/06/2023, 15:45) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    I totally agree the amount of guns on the island is way too much now. But guess what when we have women now hiding and harboring these criminals then guys get lock up and the women go free.


    Again I emphasize charge all of them MAN and WOMAN. Don't take sorry as an excuse from anyone. Because trust you me they only sorry got caught.

    Can you IMAGINE we had convict wanted for over 2 years and the young lady from SCB had him hidden for all that time. How many crimes did he commit. How many people died because of him.


    Now thinking looking at Short video clip of fish bay shooting one would want to assume the ride used may be.......nah I'm overthinking things now.


    However make sure her butt get not less than 10 years and when they get lock up cut all social media access.

    Give them both 10 years plus the one from the bank and the one from SCB in fact 10 years to low 20 yr plus
    • Ayo think it's a game (09/06/2023, 21:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dis king speaking facts. Look at de youths 2da them lost thinking quick money is de way. Money dem luv let dem tek da.

      U try water da f'k dow. If it was me I wasn't getting blame.


      De law for women hands down n dem just as messed up as men
    • Ayo think it's a game (09/06/2023, 21:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dis king speaking facts. Look at de youths 2da them lost thinking quick money is de way. Money dem luv let dem tek da.

      U try water da f'k dow. If it was me I wasn't getting blame.


      De law for women hands down n dem just as messed up as men
  • NICK (09/06/2023, 16:00) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    Make the funding for the acquisition of the necessary equipment and training for the officers mentioned. Most departments are underfunded.
    • Blind Man (09/06/2023, 16:44) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Nick you can provide all the funding and equipment if the personal not going to put in the hours and time instead of moonlight then it's useless.
  • We need guns (09/06/2023, 16:38) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
    England has many more
  • Mr. governor (09/06/2023, 16:41) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    PORTS, PORTS, PORTS. PUT A CARGO X RAY MACHINE TO SCAN EVERY PIECE OF CARGO THAT IS ENTERING AND YOU SHALL SEE. THE GUNS IS COMING IN BROKEN DOWN IN STOVES, VEHICLES, REFRIGERATORS AND FURNITURE.
  • action (09/06/2023, 17:02) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Pinglin made a statement in the Bahamas that majority rule and became prime minister for almost 30 years. The Governor not from hey, the commissioner not from hey, the deputy premier not from hey, deputy speaker not from hey, majority of the people not from hey, time that majority rule. Let us show these folks that expats can run these islands. Come on Governor then the country over to us. Lorna for premier, deputy speaker for deputy premier.
  • Here’s what’s good (09/06/2023, 17:06) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    The guns is coming thru ports broken down in cargo containers. Most of the time when you hear gunshots at nights they are testing the guns after they are put back together. Remember some of the comments says they are testing the guns when you hear random gunfire?
  • @Agree (09/06/2023, 17:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do you really believe all guns or most arrive via the Ports? Obviously, you have not noticed the hell number of private boats around here. Even high schoolers have boats. Why would I need to import via the Ports if I can run a boat relay.
  • 999 (09/06/2023, 18:45) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    border security falls under the His Excellency. We don't make gun in this territory therefore the representatives from London is not doing a good job @ securing the Border of this Territory

    Who to Blame
  • @Action (09/06/2023, 18:47) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Your real name is Iss-A-K**t.
  • The Reaper (09/06/2023, 19:13) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    U , commissioner better go back home to you all territory
  • False News (09/06/2023, 20:05) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    How many are in the U.K sir ?
  • Disinterested (09/06/2023, 23:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI does not have any gun factories and the mode of guns coming into the territory illegally is through the large porous marine borders or through airports. Many yachts and other vessels are plying our waters and are not closely monitored and searched. Increase the monitoring, surveillance and inspection. The border monitoring are shutdown at night but criminals don’t shutdown. Inspection should be a 100% , not random. The Governor seem to have info that gangs are running drugs(cocaine) through the territory and suggest that the number of murders occuring is perhaps related to guns and drugs. So why not arrest them .
  • sick of he! (10/06/2023, 07:03) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    This governor always pushing the agenda! They really trying to make the BVI seem like a drug haven and crime place. PLEASE STOP IT!
  • Porous (10/06/2023, 07:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Borders are too porous. Lots of boat traffic. No manpower to search them all or to search every container in ports. And, too many with an eye on easy cash that then needs protecting. It’s not an easy problem to solve even if there was the political power to do so. Throwing people in prison for gun offences sounds good, but it costs society prob $25k/year/person, about equal to a govt. salary but without much return on the investment.
  • BS (10/06/2023, 08:40) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    How many is is an okay number of guns? since what we have is too many.

    How many guns does UK have. UK records almost 6,000 gun crimes a year and 55,000 knife crimes a year. Go tackle UK problems. Get rid of all knives in the UK.
    • @BS (10/06/2023, 20:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      dont mind the noise because as a citizen(born & raised) i can freely say, some of the police officers running around this territory with weapons have more criminal activity where them comes from than little BVI: Great Britain have far more dope users, dope pushers, dope importers than this Territory.....it is only because the majority of people residing here are Negro the UK representative including the scotland yards see us as criminals....some folks may stay up the hillside using the powder and all is well
  • Good for thought (10/06/2023, 12:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has anyone ever thought the guns will outnumber the people on the Island?
  • WOW (10/06/2023, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow... the governor is calling the VI's version of grown up rug rats a gang. He has no vision & where there is no vision the people perish.

    If there is any gang here its the ones let in from outside. Guys who grow up here know each other from a young age and get up to mischief together as adults hardly can be compared to a real gang that you must be beat up on or kill to join.

    Want to solve the problem? Legalize weed and get to searching cmon!!!

    You'd provide opportunities and reduce crime in one move.
  • Disinterested (11/06/2023, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    “ The guns are the guns that are carrying out the shootings,” Mr Rankin stated. Guv Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Is this what Guv intended to say or it was inartfully stated? Indeed, guns killed but someone has to pull the trigger or it is set to automatically fire, still requiring human involvement.


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