Guyana Government Extends Gun Amnesty

GEORGETOWN, Guyana CMC – The Guyana government says it has extended the gun amnesty by a further two weeks, after law enforcement authorities said they had recovered more than 100 firearms during the month long initiative in September.

The Ministry of Public Security said, the amnesty will now end on October 14 and Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, said the amnesty forms part of the government efforts to tackle gun crimes, and the presence of illegal firearms on the streets.

Ramjattan has warned persons with illegal guns in their possession, to take advantage of the amnesty.

“Please bring it in, your Christmas will not be nice if you don’t, and you get caught” said Ramjattan, even as he acknowledged that “people are getting more aware as to the necessity to bringing in the firearms and additional ammunition…because of that it was decided that we should extend it”.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that 142 guns were surrendered to the police during the one month pardon.

GPF said that the haul included 121 Shotguns, 10 pistols, seven air rifles, three revolvers and one AK 47 rifle. The police said they also recovered close to 2,000 rounds of ammunition.