Senator Abka Fitz-Henley defends Jamaica's Firearms Act

Jamaican Government Senator Abka Fitz-Henley has stated that any efforts to weaken the Firearms Act should be strongly resisted. His remarks follow protests by lawyers seeking amendments to the legislation, specifically targeting mandatory sentencing provisions.

Legal professionals have argued that the current Act removes judicial discretion, preventing judges from tailoring sentences to the specific circumstances of individual cases. Senator Fitz-Henley, however, maintains support for the 15-year minimum penalty, warning that its removal would diminish the law's effectiveness.

Addressing claims that the Act has not reduced gun crime, the Senator cited Court Administration Division data showing a 10 per cent decrease in new Gun Court filings, dropping from 403 cases in 2021 to 363 cases in 2024. Additionally, Fitz-Henley indicated he does not oppose revising laws regarding imitation firearms to better accommodate the creative sector, following arguments that toy guns are currently treated similarly to lethal weapons.