1000-odd rounds of AK-47 ‘ammo’ roll in – as gun-amnesty programme takes off
AT the Alberttown Police Station yesterday just after the firearm amnesty commenced at 09:00hrs, a city resident brought in a five-gallon bucket containing 1,191 live rounds of 7.62×51 ammunition.
According to a source close to the man who turned in the ammo, from the moment he heard that the Government was providing an amnesty period for persons in possession of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives, he started to follow the matter.
The man reportedly told a close friend that he’d waited patiently for the amnesty to commence so that he could relieve himself of the burden of having the illegal items in his possession.
The Guyana Chronicle understands that the man volunteered his name to the police, but that information was not provided to the media, since it could compromise the integrity of the entire process.
It was related, however, that the rounds which were supplied to the police might have been in storage for some time, according to a close look at their condition.
The calibre of the particular ammunition would enable a round to penetrate a concrete wall, and would still have that impact even if fired from a distance of 100 metres from the target.
Meanwhile, shortly after the ammunition was handed over to the police, a resident from another part of the city visited another police station, where he handed over two .22 semi-automatic pistols and 55 live rounds of matching ammunition and three magazines.
The firearm amnesty initiative was launched as a measure to deal with the escalating crime situation, especially gun violence.
However, on Monday former Home Affairs Minister and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Clement Rohee, told reporters that the amnesty programme was likely to fail.
The firearm amnesty which commenced yesterday, will conclude on September 30 and after that all persons who are found in possession of illegal firearms will have to face the full force of the law.
‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken, supported by members of the religious community who are the main backers of the initiative, yesterday interacted with the media just moments after the programme commenced.
The religious leaders called for good sense to prevail with respect to the amnesty period, as they too feel that too many weapons are in the wrong hands.
Many of them called mostly on the young people in the various communities to come forward and relieve themselves of the burden of having illegal guns, which could land them in jail if they continue to hold onto them.
There was also the call for young people to find religious leaders from their communities to accompany them to police stations to hand over guns if they feel scared to go alone. They also have the option of handing over the illegal guns to religious leaders, so that they can take them in to the police.
By mid-afternoon yesterday it was only the police in ‘A’ Division who had favourable responses from members of the public regarding the amnesty.
In underscoring the presence of the faith- based organisations as part of the process, Hicken said that those leaders will be visiting the various police stations where weapons are to be handed over to ensure that the persons who are responding are comfortable and that the process is not being hindered in any way.
By Leroy Smith
