The Jamaican authorities are reporting that as many as 20 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have so far been handed over during the recently effected gun amnesty.

The amnesty, which was enacted under the recently amended Firearms Act, began on November 5 and ends this Saturday (November 19). This amnesty is the last opportunity for those who hold or are in possession of illegal firearms or ammunition to avoid significant sentences and forms an important milestone in Jamaica’s fight against illegal guns.

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang announced during an emergency news conference at Jamaica House earlier today (November 15) that some 20 firearms have been handed over under the amnesty. He explained that many of the firearms that were turned in were firearms left by an original firearm holder, who might have died or left the weapon in possession of a relative who had not gone to register the weapon or is the holder of a firearm licence.

The minister encouraged others in similar situations to turn in the weapons left in their possession.

he news conference was called by Prime Minister, Andrew Holness to announce the declaration of states of emergency in seven parishes across the island, due to an increase in violence in parishes such as St Catherine and sections of Kingston and St Andrew.

The other parishes are St James, Westmoreland, Hanover and Clarendon. The SOEs will last for a period of 14 days.

The prime minister disclosed that the Government is also issuing these SOEs as proactive measure ahead of the holiday season. In the meantime, the police report that 1,604 assorted cartridges were turned in to the Half-Way Tree Police Station in St Andrew last Saturday, under the gun amnesty.

Senior Superintendent of Police Marlon Nesbeth, head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, commended the gesture, saying: “This amnesty is a grand opportunity for well-thinking citizens to utilize in ridding various areas of illegal firearms and ammunition. These persons can also positively influence others to do the legal and morally correct thing, so I thank them for that.”