Caption: An illegal firearm seized by police. Photo: TTPS
By Dr Neil Gosine
IN recent times, we have seen major security failures within the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, where two soldiers and two coastguardsmen lost a military-issued firearm while bar-hopping.
Can you imagine this? While “liming” these elite defence force officers did the unthinkable. They lost their weapons. This incident further weakens the government’s argument against arming law-abiding citizens for self-defense.
The opposition leader has been pushing for legislative changes to grant law-abiding citizens the right to obtain firearm licenses legally, arguing that individuals should have the ability to defend themselves against the growing threat of home invasions and violent crime.
However, the government, particularly the minister of national security, has refused to budge, claiming that making firearms more accessible will lead to them falling into criminal hands. What a cup out!
Yet, incidents like this prove that the real problem lies within the forces entrusted with national security. If trained military personnel cannot safeguard their own weapons due to their own reckless behavior, then denying responsible citizens access to legal firearms under the guise of preventing crime is not only hypocritical but also dangerous. Citizens are being targeted and killed.
Criminals continue to arm themselves illegally, while law-abiding citizens are left defenseless. Killings in home invasions have increased dramatically in the last year.
The opposition leader has made it clear that if given the opportunity to lead as the next prime minister, she will level the playing field by ensuring that citizens have the legal right to defend themselves.
This includes granting firearm licenses to responsible individuals so they can protect their families and homes from criminal attacks.
The government’s refusal to acknowledge this reality only strengthened criminals while leaving citizens vulnerable. Something has to change, that change is changing the government.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, sometimes a temporary Opposition Senator, an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited
Commentary: Give FULs for Protection
Caption: An illegal firearm seized by police. Photo: TTPS
IN recent times, we have seen major security failures within the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, where two soldiers and two coastguardsmen lost a military-issued firearm while bar-hopping.
Can you imagine this? While “liming” these elite defence force officers did the unthinkable. They lost their weapons. This incident further weakens the government’s argument against arming law-abiding citizens for self-defense.
The opposition leader has been pushing for legislative changes to grant law-abiding citizens the right to obtain firearm licenses legally, arguing that individuals should have the ability to defend themselves against the growing threat of home invasions and violent crime.
However, the government, particularly the minister of national security, has refused to budge, claiming that making firearms more accessible will lead to them falling into criminal hands. What a cup out!
Yet, incidents like this prove that the real problem lies within the forces entrusted with national security. If trained military personnel cannot safeguard their own weapons due to their own reckless behavior, then denying responsible citizens access to legal firearms under the guise of preventing crime is not only hypocritical but also dangerous. Citizens are being targeted and killed.
Criminals continue to arm themselves illegally, while law-abiding citizens are left defenseless. Killings in home invasions have increased dramatically in the last year.
The opposition leader has made it clear that if given the opportunity to lead as the next prime minister, she will level the playing field by ensuring that citizens have the legal right to defend themselves.
This includes granting firearm licenses to responsible individuals so they can protect their families and homes from criminal attacks.
The government’s refusal to acknowledge this reality only strengthened criminals while leaving citizens vulnerable. Something has to change, that change is changing the government.
Neil Gosine is an insurance executive, sometimes a temporary Opposition Senator, an ex-treasurer of the UNC and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NP). He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies. The views and comments expressed in this column are not necessarily those of AZP News, a Division of Complete Image Limited