Corruption contributing to illegal gun problem in Caribbean

Corruption has been blamed for the rise in illegal guns in the Caribbean says the Executive Director of the Regional Security System (RSS) Commodore Errington Shurland.

RSS Member States include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.  

Many of the guns involved in violent crime are unregistered, bringing to question just how porous the Caribbean borders are.

The matter was discussed on Wednesday at a meeting in Grenada, where Member States were told that the issue of corruption must also be dealt with to address the problem of illegal firearms.

Shurland, told those gathered that the noticeable increase in gun violence is having a harmful effect on some Member States and it is taking violence a heavy toll on societies.

Young lives are lost he said, coupled with injuries and psychological trauma.  

A holistic approach is needed to address the issue he insists, saying that constant positive messaging to young people with the aid of social development can also cause a change.

In addition, he said necessary infrastructure must be put in place to secure the region’s borders to prevent the illegal entry of firearms.

The RSS, he said is looking forward to assisting the member states with diagnosing and fighting criminal activities through the Regional Crime Observatory