CTUSAB Urges Bold Action to Curb Gun Flow in Barbados by Banning New Civilian Licences and Restricting Ownership to Security Forces

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has urged authorities to take bold action to stem the flow of guns into the country by banning any new civilian gun licences and restricting firearm ownership to security forces.

CTUSAB President Ryan Phillips made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, where he outlined the organisation’s concerns about the availability of firearms and the challenges surrounding their illegal importation into the country.

“CTUSAB has made the contention that guns are not manufactured in Barbados, so it is left to ascertain the sources by which guns make their entry into the island,” he said. “There is the knowledge that both security and surveillance systems at the Bridgetown Port and the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) have been constantly upgraded. Yet questions are continually raised about the entry of illegal firearms into Barbados.”

Phillips highlighted several gaps that may be exploited by criminals, including the island’s extensive coastline and the increase in private yachts and other vessels entering local seaports outside of the Bridgetown Port. He also raised concerns about the emergence of firearms made largely from plastic materials, which make detection more difficult.

He explained: “As a small island with several miles accessible to private seagoing vehicles, an increase in private yachts entering the seaports, the un-stuffing of containers away from surveillance areas, and with the construction of guns with high concentrations of plastic; these have made detection and policing challenging exercises. However, what is a point of concern would be the anecdotal information which points to high levels of corruption and the presence of syndicates responsible for the movement of both drugs and guns.”

Phillips clarified that while he did not advocate for confiscating firearms already licensed to private citizens, CTUSAB’s position was that new firearm ownership should be restricted strictly to law enforcement and national security agencies.

“We believe that the individual right to own a gun should be restricted to state law enforcement and protection agencies and that no individual should be granted a gun permit,” the CTUSAB president said.

“Possession of guns should be restricted to police and military agencies only. This may be unpopular, but it is a measure worth considering as a first step to halt the ready access to guns.