Kaieteur News Reports : In response to a troubling rise in gun violence across the country, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn announced on Tuesday the need for authorities to consider increasing fines and prison sentences for individuals caught with illegal firearms. The recent surge in gun-related crimes has raised significant concern, particularly following the tragic murder of young teacher Jenel Pollydore by her ex-boyfriend during a wedding reception last Saturday.
The incident is part of a disturbing trend that has seen multiple killings, including two men shot on the Buxton Linetop and another execution-style murder in Linden, alongside a spate of armed robberies. Most of these cases remain unsolved, although police have made arrests in two of the recent killings.
Speaking to Kaieteur News while inspecting a diesel leak on Saffon Street, Benn emphasized that law enforcement is acutely aware of the escalating gun crime issue. “We are working on the question of gun control… We have drafted a new Firearms Act. We have to consider increasing fines and incarceration for those found in possession of illegal weapons,” he stated. Benn also highlighted that even licensed firearm holders should not be allowed to brandish their weapons in public spaces like bars.
The Minister pointed out that many illegal firearms are smuggled into Guyana through its porous borders, primarily from the United States. He noted that a significant number of gun-related incidents involve intimate partner violence and that many perpetrators are armed with illegal firearms.
Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement Wendell Blanhum previously acknowledged the prevalence of armed robbery involving firearms, particularly pistols, which are favored for their concealability and high ammunition capacity. In a notable response to the increase in illegal firearms, police reported seizing 162 weapons in 2024—the highest number recovered in a decade.
Observers have remarked that gun violence has become an unfortunate reality in Guyana. An editorial in Kaieteur News pointed out that firearms are often involved in both street crime and domestic issues, with ripple effects impacting workplaces and the broader economy.
The issue of gun violence has also surfaced in the current election campaign. Former Deputy Commissioner of Police Paul Williams criticized the current state of the police force under the PPP government, claiming it has severely deteriorated. “They have destroyed every fabric that was built by our predecessors,” he asserted during a rally, further alleging that the government has ignored serious complaints against police misconduct.
Williams referenced a 2022 report from the Police Complaints Authority, which included 194 complaints, four of which involved fatal police shootings. He criticized the lack of accountability, noting that recommendations to charge officers often went unaddressed.
With the recent sentencing of a police officer for the unjustified killing of a businessman, Williams highlighted the urgent need for reform within the police force and greater government accountability. “You want a government like that? Nowhere, we will not go with a government like that,” he declared, emphasizing the necessity for change in the current administration.
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