‘We have to examine why people feel they need firearms’ – Min. Walrond as over 30,000 individuals seek licences

Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, has stated that authorities will need to investigate why more than 30,000 individuals in the country feel the need to be armed.

Earlier this month, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo revealed that there are currently over 30,000 applications for firearm licences in the system. He also noted that the government will have to consider the possibility of issuing non-lethal weapons as an alternative.

Commenting on this during a recent episode of the ‘Starting Point’ podcast, Minister Walrond said, “we have to examine why is it that people feel that they need firearms and maybe these non-lethal weapons could provide an answer for their safety and security.”

“The truth is, in Guyana, our serious crimes and robbery with firearms and those kinds of (crime), it’s on the decline,” she added.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Firearms Licensing Board, chaired by Dr Reyaud Rahman, are currently in discussion on the possibility of issuing licences for non-lethal weapons.

According to Minister Walrond, the intention is to limit the number of firearms on the streets.

“So, the need to walk with a firearm every day, all day, to protect yourselves, may not necessarily hold any muster any more as serious crime goes down,” she said, noting that there has been a 25% decrease in serious crimes for the year so far, compared to 2024.

The minister clarified that this refers to cases such as murders, robbery, robbery under arms, robbery with aggravation, robbery with violence, among other serious matters.

But when it comes to murder, she noted that main causes are from domestic disputes. “When you disaggregate the instances of murder, in which there is an increase, is the domestic murder. So, it’s not where somebody is walking, execution-type murders that you would find with gang wars and that kind of thing. You’re finding the increase is based on domestic situations,” the minister explained.

Nevertheless, she disclosed that within the past five years, over 10,000 gun licences were issued. Jagdeo had cautioned about continuing to issue such licences, since oftentimes, these firearms would end up in the hands of criminals.

“Now just imagine if you have to give out 50,000-gun licences in Guyana, what could happen? And often the weapons end up in the hands of criminals because they come into our home and they take the weapons, etc.,” the Vice President had expressed as he proposed the non-lethal weapon option.

When it comes to getting rid of illegal firearms on the streets, Minister Walrond said discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to better address this problem, including examining the possibility of offering another amnesty programme.

Reports indicate that over 170 illegal firearms were confiscated by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) last year.  Most of them, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, originated from the United States, Brazil and Venezuela.