by Adrian Gibson
First appeared in The Tribune under the byline, Young Mans View here…
I have been informed that a group of Bahamians have banded together to form the Bahamas Firearms Association (BFA), a non-profit organisation specifically aimed at the training and education of gun owners. I totally support their position. Frankly, in these times, I understand their contention that restrictive government policies may be trampling on people’s right to protect themselves. As a licensed shot gun owner myself, it sends shivers down my spine to know that a shot gun has almost become obsolete as a protective measure for businessmen and homeowners, particularly when one considers that the criminal element has handguns capable of firing numerous rounds, AK-47s and other powerful weapons that have no limitations and does not need to be reloaded as a shot gun must be after five to eight shots (demanding on type).
Indeed, responsible citizens could be assessed on a case by case basis and should be equipped to protect themselves as necessary or appropriate. While we pretend that there’s no real threat, the crime statistics clearly show that we’re walking down the same road as has already been travelled by so many of our Caribbean counterparts, where crime is out of control. We should learn from the experiences of our Caribbean sister countries and try to pre-empt highjackings and kidnappings for ransom, which could potentially be the next step for the criminal element.
It is clear that there is a preponderance of high-powered weapons on the streets of our archipelago and these weapons turn lightweight punks into ruthless, callous killers. No barricades, alarms and camera systems can even the score! We need to reconsider the reality of life in the Bahamas. The IDB has patently told us that the world no longer sees us as the peaceful God fearing communities that we pretend to be but as one of the most violent countries in the world. We no longer need to pretend our police officers shouldn’t be adequately armed or that responsible citizens shouldn’t have the option of protecting themselves. Accountable, law abiding community leaders, businessmen and persons of that ilk should, if they apply for them, be allowed to carry a handgun. Heck, if they could have a shot gun or rifle, why not a handgun? The criminals have armed themselves to the teeth and rather than using BB guns and slingshots, they are using military grade, high-powered weapons.
I have been told that but for a competent transportation, triage and treatment system, the murder rate for 2013 would be about 200 people; that the number of murders accounted for this year has been truly modified by the response of the healthcare system and the various definitions of what constitutes a murder.
While I support the rights of law abiding citizens to bear arms, we must acknowledge the real challenges of Bahamian society – for example, a predilection by some to hustle or engage in criminal behaviour; poor parenting, etc – in order to curb this downward spiral of our society. It will take all of us to foster real change.
I totally support the group as well.There is no reason in this world at this time in our country that at the very least business people should not be allowed a hand gun with a carry license at a reasonable fee & not the out of control license fees at present.I would do whatever course they wanted me to do.To me it is telling us that #1:They don’t give a damn & 2:They want exactly whats happening now to happen.I can assure you if its me or him I am not aiming for his leg.
Guns are not the problem, guns are a deterrent to crime and the evil that stalks us in the streets and in our homes.. The only people that have hand guns in the Bahamas beside the police are the criminals and the thugs that rob and shoot us at will.. How sad that the moral fabric of our country has fallen to such a low.. We are becoming a nation of petty gangsters and our so-called political leadership has no idea of what to do.. Just more of the same old empty words and promises where once again government is the problem and NOT the solution..
The Bahamas Firearm Association appears to be a constructive step by citizens to finding solutions.. Where can law abiding citizens sign up??
Every place that the people have the right to carry,the crime rate has dropped dramatically & that is a fact that can not be denied.As usual in the Bahamas,the criminals have much more rights that the law abiding citizens.In my experience with the police,they just tell you things to get you off their backs when the truth be told they are a big part of the problem to IE they protect each other no mater what,even in murder.
I do not agree that the only way to control ‘bad guys with guns’ is ‘good guys with guns’
Vigilanty style justice would simply exacerbate the present situation,
Do you really believe we have a system of justice for all?? Since when does protecting ones life and property become vigilanty justice?? We have become country of laws and no order.. Criminals are a direct threat to he nation’s stability..
I’m talking about protecting yourself,not vigilantly style anything.Would you like to be home with or without a gun when someone is breaking in to rob or rape you ? My answer is give me a gun.I can repaint my walls,reupholster my furniture, & mop my tiles but I can not replace my family.Maybe you can call the police & wait a day for them to come Vir lpse but I am not going to.
Lets face the hard cold facts.. If you are caught up a life or death criminal situation, the ONLY thing that separates you between life and the casket is your possession and use of a hand gun.. The police cannot help you as they can’t get there in time to save you from being murdered.. Only you can help yourself; don’t believe me just ask any police officer and you will get the same answer..
In a society where you have no law and only disorder, every man must protect himself and his loved ones as he is the last line of defense in a criminal society.. Forty years of lax and corrupt law enforcement and failed legal due process has resulted in the criminal intent or state of mind of what we have become to be today..
I found this piece on guns in the US interesting… http://environmentblog.ncpa.org/the-truth-about-guns-shoots-down-obamas-claims/
The report found:
Most indices of crime and gun violence are getting better, not worse.
Handguns are the problem.
Mass shootings aren’t the problem.
Gun suicide is a bigger killer than gun homicide.
Guns are used for self-defense often and effectively.
It isn’t true that most gun acquisitions by criminals can be blamed on a few bad dealers.
Guns don’t kill people,people do.The reason its gone down in some areas is because people are allowed to protect themselves with their own guns & pray tell me is that not how it should be ? What obama & his commy buddies want is complete control over all so they can’t fight back & its the same with the UN.I do not trust anyone who wants to take my guns period.If they want to blame a few bad gun dealers for all gun problems then I say lets blame all politicians for all the problems in the world today,what else could it possibly be.
Once gain government is the problem and not the solution.. The Bahamas has some of the strictest and most restrictive gun laws in the world.. Yet sadly on a per capita basis, we have one of the highest murder rates in the world.. Gun control laws don’t work and only encourage more robberies and killing.. We are just like Chicago, America’s murder capital, where the nation’s strictest gun control laws just don’t work.. With only the criminals having hand guns, the Bahamian people daily are at risk.. Its time for government to stop all the esoteric pronouncements and introduce legislation to permit law abiding citizens to own hand guns for personal self-defense.. If that were the case, government cold sit back and watch the crime and murder rate go down..
If you don’t believe me, try to answer this simple question.. Why, when gun ownership and concealed carry is made legal, does the crime and murder statistics dramatically drop in numbers and historical percentages?? The evidence speaks for itself as gun ownership is a fundamental deterrent to crime..
Amen Tradewinds.It is very clear to me that they simply don’t want to change anything & they are happy just the way it is.I think in general they believe if they put up a sign & have a photo op they feel they have done their part & all will be cured.What a bunch of idiots we have taking us down the path of destruction.