Human rights lobby, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), says Prime Minister Andrew Holness must do more to demonstrate to the country that the Government is serious about effecting fundamental operational and administrative changes to the scandal-laden Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA).

JFJ, while noting the Cabinet resignation of former national security minister Robert Montague, stated on Saturday (March 12) that the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) should also consider asking Peter Bunting to “relinquish official duties within the Senate pending further investigations.”

Bunting, current opposition spokesperson on national security and minister before Montague in the Portia Simpson Miller administration, is one of three high-level public officials implicated in the Integrity Commission’s special report of investigation.

• READ: Bunting threatens lawsuits against media over coverage of Integrity Commission’s FLA report

The Integrity Commission, in its 245-page report, examined allegations of impropriety, irregularity and corruption in the issuance of firearm user licences to persons of ‘questionable character’. The commission detailed how the FLA provided gun permits to persons convicted of, or charged with, various criminal offences involving drugs, lottery scamming, and illegal possession of firearms.

“The allegations levied against the public officials, as outlined in the recent Integrity Commission report…suggest clear instances of executive overreach that undermines legitimate crime-fighting efforts,” JFJ remarked.

“JFJ lambasts the government for what can only be described as ‘state-sanctioned criminality’, where public officials are alleged to be involved in issuing gun permits to known criminals,” the group added.

Continuing, JFJ bemoaned the ‘stink of corruption’ that plagues the FLA, demanding that Government put an end to inefficiencies at the armament agency.

“Unsavoury acts by public officials, as described in the commission’s report, undermine their ‘moral authority’ to effect crime-fighting measures. It is critical that further investigations are undertaken by the Major Organised and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and Financial Investigation Division (FID), which will then determine levels of culpability, and whether charges or sanctions should also be laid against the former ministers,” the JFJ statement read.

The group is also welcoming the Integrity Commission’s decision to refer the matter involving former deputy FLA chairman Dennis Meadows to the Director of Corruption Prosecution (DCP) for review to decide whether to pursue charges, per the Corruption Prevention Act, for his alleged role in the granting of a firearm’s license to a relative with known criminal background.

Meadows, in his own statement following the damning report, has denied any wrongdoing and has since resigned from several public boards, including the Western Regional Health Authority (WHRA).

• RELATED: Dennis Meadows: ‘I am nobody’s scapegoat & will fight fiercely defend my good name’

“We hope the DCP reviews the matter and take any action she deems necessary,” outlined the group.

Still, Jamaicans for Justice maintained urgent reforms are needed for the dysfunctional FLA, slamming recent comments by Holness in February as “simply underwhelming”.

“The organisation charges that the announcements made by the prime minister in February regarding proposed firearm application procedures, eligibility criteria processes, board appointments and ministerial curtailment are simply underwhelming given they were undefined and no clear legislative reform outlined,” argued JFJ.

“They also do not address the core issue of ministerial interference and usurping of powers of the state agencies. Further, there needs to be real change to address systemic corruption,” the non-government organisation added.

JFJ recommended the FLA be completely stripped of executive control with respect to the issuance of gun licences. It also suggests the agency being absorbed as a body of Parliament, and board members appointed only by the Governor-General, following consultation with both the prime minister and opposition leader.

“Notably, a body of Parliament will still require curtailment of ministerial interference. The current review of the Firearms Act by Parliament should be open to public consultation so that this recommendation is fully ventilated,” aserted JFJ.

“Further, there is no clear cut provision in the Firearms Act to properly revoke ‘questionable’ grants of firearm user’s license – this needs urgent reform,” said the group.

Meanwhile, as reviews of the Integrity Commission Act and the Protected Disclosure (Whistle-blower) Act continue in Parliament, JFJ said it was cautiously trusting that lawmakers will accept recommendations of developing a “broad and comprehensive anti-corruption legislation” that will address “issues of bribery, conflict of interest and state board appointments”.

While agreeing with Holness’ suggestion of a “fit and proper” criteria for future FLA board members, JFJ urged, however, that a similar process be extended to Cabinet members and senators, along with each House of Representatives member receiving “ethics and integrity training in accordance with international standards
and the Parliamentary traditional and rules.”