Mr. Speaker, there is a growing trend in the TCI lately that I’d like to highlight. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that, in these islands, we have seen a spike in the number of cases of our tourists bringing firearms and ammunition into the TCI. Perhaps the Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the RTCIPF and the Hotel Association should launch a campaign to educate our tourists and discourage these actions.
Mr. Speaker, a few months ago in this house we passed laws to modernize our police force and increase fines and offences as it relates to gun crime. Mr. Speaker, there is no secret that we have an issue with gun-related crimes, and I want to reassure this House that the police department that will always have my support when apprehending those persons who make the decision to carry or use an illegal firearm to cause harm. Last I checked we do not manufacture or distribute firearms in this country. If you are found with an illegal firearm you should be prosecuted.
But, Mr. Speaker, the public has a concern and if they are concerned so am I. Mr. Speaker, CLASSICISM is alive and well in these islands. I can go on and on of many examples of it but I’ll stick to the issue of firearm and ammunition. Mr. Speaker, the same tourists that I mentioned who were either found with a firearm or ammunition, in their case, it appears as if our justice system handles their cases swiftly and they are given a fine as their penalty although recently a tourist was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment.
But Mr. Speaker, when it is our Turks and Caicos Islands people who find themselves in similar circumstances our justice system seems to not move so swiftly, and their usual punishment is the mandatory minimum sentence.
Mr. Speaker, there must be equality and balance in the penalties and punishments given to firearm offenders regardless of their nationality, race, color or ethnicity.
Mr. Speaker, there are many firearm-related prosecutions where our people meet the same criteria as visitors, that is (they are law-abiding citizens, hardworking, and have a clean police record and so on). However, Mr. Speakers that STILL seems to not satisfy our courts as sufficient enough for the court to make a finding of EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, thereby giving those persons a lower sentence than the mandatory
Simply put, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to our Turks and Caicos Islanders the ruling handed down is heavy handed and it’s usually substantial jail time.
Mr. Speaker, I am appealing to us in the House and our justice system to review this trend, or perhaps this House may need to legislate situations that amount to EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES so that we can help our judiciary in bringing some balance as it relates to the adequate punishment.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I do believe that the following situations should amount to exceptional circumstances:
(a) No previous convictions.
(b) Good character as evidenced by references from members of the community.
(c) Early guilty plea
(d) Substantial cooperation with the Police.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for your time. May God continue to bless us all
and may he forever bless these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
