Browne Warns Business Interests May Be Supplying Illegal Guns

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has raised the possibility that people with business interests are involved in bringing illegal firearms into Antigua and Barbuda, urging law enforcement to trace the supply of guns and ammunition reaching criminals.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Monday during debate on the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Browne said the country’s response to gun violence must reach beyond the person found with a weapon. He pointed to information suggesting that some people involved in firearm imports may have business interests and called for intelligence-led investigations into the source of illegal weapons.

Browne did not publicly name a businessperson or present evidence establishing that any particular individual had committed an offence. His remarks were an allegation and a call for investigation, rather than an announcement of charges.

The Prime Minister urged lawmakers to examine whether the bill’s penalties for illegally importing firearms and ammunition were strong enough. He suggested the issue be considered as members worked through the legislation.

Browne also took aim at the response to gun crime after arrests are made. He argued that tougher laws would have limited effect if sentencing failed to reflect the seriousness of firearm offences, continuing his criticism of penalties he considers too lenient. He has previously called for an independent review of firearm sentencing and repeat offending.

Turning to displays of guns online, Browne said young people had become brazen enough to show firearms on social media. He proposed that lawmakers consider an offence allowing police to act on an identifiable image or video and requiring the person shown with a gun to account for whether it was lawfully held. That suggestion was a proposal, not an offence created by the bill.

The House passed the Firearms (Amendment) Bill on Monday. It raises maximum penalties for firearms offences, including a maximum of 30 years for offences tried on indictment.