President David Granger on Thursday said his desire is to see fewer guns in the hands of private citizens and on the streets.

The President told reporters that his government will be scaling back on the issuance of firearm licenses to private citizens.

Responding to a question on his weekly televised program, the Public Interest, the President said while it is true that several private citizens have legal firearms, he believes that guns should only be used by law enforcement authorities.

“So we would like to see fewer weapons in the hands of private citizens; it is my personal view that weapons should be used by law enforcement agencies – the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force,” Mr. Granger stated.

He acknowledged that there are legitimate firearm license holders in Guyana but said some of them are known for renting their weapons to criminals.

Granger said that those licensed firearm holders, who misuse their guns, would have their weapons seized. “Once your weapon is used in any illegality it will be seized and you might find it very, very difficult to get another license,” he said.

Mr. Granger said he is working in along with Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan to reduce the number of gun licenses issued.

“The Minister of Public Security and I are reducing the frequency or the ease or controlling the ease with which some people can get weapons,” He noted.

“We will try to detect people coming into the country will illegal firearms so there are a plethora of measures which will be implemented and our whole policy is aimed at getting guns off the streets and leaving guns in the hands of the police and the army,” he added.

Over the years the police have had a large number of gun related crimes, particularly murders, and robberies, being committed across the country.
Many of the guns used were either legally issued or smuggled into the country.

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