THE launch of the Caribbean Firearms Study 2023 is timely as empirical data is needed in the fight against crime.
The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs issued a media release on Wednesday stating that members of its Criminal Justice Unit led by Senator Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal attended the launch as the AG’s Office continues to prioritize the fight against crime.
The CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) in collaboration with the Small Arms Survey hosted the launch of their joint publication “The Caribbean Firearms Study 2023” held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad on Wednesday.
The study intends to provide information that will help shape policies to address the scope and scale of challenges associated with firearms in the Caribbean by providing insights into and assessments of such issues. These issues include holdings in the region, illicit arms and ammunition flows, medical costs of firearms violence and other emerging firearms issues.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds delivered the keynote address.
The release stated, “The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs (AGLA), in its legislative role, recognizes the crucial part that data plays in the development of legislation to assist in the fight against crime and fully supports this study.”
The event follows last week regional symposium on crime with focus on violence as a public health issue.
Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, had met with Caricom IMPACS following the symposium to further discuss matters that arose out of the conference.
