Gun Suppliers Linking Up with Police

Still on the topic of guns, Gillett also met with the licensed arms dealers in Belize City to discuss issues related to the availability of ammunition. According to the Regional Commander, their intel shows that some of the weapons on the streets have made their way through licensed channels. One of the points discussed is to have ammunition identifiable with serial numbers and the possible creation of a database. Gillett says that today’s discussion was fruitful and that the gun suppliers have committed to work with the Police. He explains why this collaboration is a big step in tackling the gun related crimes.

Howell Gillett

Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“Based on the intelligence reports that we are getting, those reports are saying that there is the possibility that licensed gun holders are redistributing ammunition on the street.  It is something that we have to look carefully at. As a matter of fact, the Minister of National Security and the Ministry are looking into the possibility of serializing ammunition. How it will be done? It needs more in depth reviews and that will come very shortly. Because the police must be able to say that this ammunition was bought from this supplier and bought from that supplier by this gun owner. It is a long process but we have to get to that point where we are able to investigate properly but also make the investigation easy in terms of identifying ammunition of shell-casing left on scene. We have to sell it more to the public, though, especially the gun dealers. We had a meeting this morning and they have different views but it was sold in the right way, many, if not most of them, bought into the idea of   serializing ammunition.”

Reporter

“Is there any hope of establishing a database? For a license gun holder – you are allowed a thousand rounds per year or something – that we can track how many rounds this licensed gun dealer is buying?”

Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett

“That is precisely the discourse that we had this morning. It will come at a cost though and somebody has to foot the bill and I think that is where the concerns come from, the gun dealers themselves. The largest question that was asked is who will sponsor it. That will take time. I think the Ministry of National Security is in dialogue and soon, if not the Ministry, then the Minister will be meeting with these same license gun dealers to discuss the way forward as it relates to the supply and distribution of ammunition, not only in Belize City but countrywide. But, yes, in my view, it could be made possible with a database but it comes at a cost. But I believe in the name of crime, we could stop worrying about cost.”