Greater collaboration, partnership needed to combat scourge of illicit trafficking of firearms – CONSLE Chair

(Jamaica Information Service Press Release) Chairman of the CARICOM Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) and Jamaica’s National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, says the illicit trafficking of illegal firearms is a significant challenge for the region.

Addressing Thursday’s Committee meeting on Hemispheric Security at the Organization of American States, by video-conference, Dr. Chang pointed out that “the Caribbean accounts for approximately 23 percent of all recorded homicides, with an average homicide rate of 15.1 per 100,000 people, which is nearly three times the world average.”

The Jamaican National Security Minister told the hemispheric security officials that “the proliferation and increased access to illegal firearms account for the high level of armed violence and insecurity within our regions.”

Dr. Chang pointed out that “the firearm is the weapon of choice for committing homicides and other acts of crime and violence. In this regard, I have to underscore the need for greater collaboration and partnership to combat the scourge of the illicit trafficking of firearms,” he declared.

“This is directly linked to the steps being taken by [the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security] IMPACS to strengthen the capacity of Member States in the region to successfully detect and prevent these illegal firearms from entering our shores, the CONSLE Chairman noted. In addition, he said “the region must continue to commit to regional mechanisms that support firearm ballistics gathering and information sharing.”

Read more at: Jamaica Information Service

Source: CARICOM TODAY