With illegal firearms continuing to account for the majority of homicides on the island,more people are calling for tougher gun and crime legislation in Saint Lucia.
The discussion is happening as police report that 25 of the island’s 36 homicides recorded so far this year involved firearms.
For a long time, illegal guns have been used in many of the country’s murders. This has raised concerns about violent crime and made some citizens wonder if the current laws are strong enough.
At a pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre argued that Saint Lucia already has some of the toughest gun laws in the region.
“I can tell you we have some of the most severe penalties, like life imprisonment. I don’t think many people know that,” Pierre said in response to a question from St Lucia Times.
A review of the Firearms Act shows that illegal possession of a firearm or ammunition can carry a fine of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both on summary conviction. If the matter is tried on indictment, the penalty can be as high as 25 years in prison.
The legislation is even stricter where a firearm is used to commit, assist in committing, or resist arrest during another offence. In those cases, penalties range from a fine of up to $50,000 and 15 years’ imprisonment on summary conviction to life imprisonment on indictment.
For murder, Saint Lucia’s Criminal Code provides for life imprisonment, while capital murder remains punishable by death under the law, despite the sentence not being enforced in practice.
Still, Pierre acknowledged that many people may question why those severe penalties do not always appear to be reflected in the sentences handed down by the courts.
“The question is… why don’t you hear them manifested? I can’t answer that question,” he said.
Even though the law allows for tough penalties, sentencing is not always straightforward. Courts consider factors such as whether the person pleaded guilty, their past criminal record, whether they showed remorse, and other factors. Because of this, sentences can be shorter than the maximum allowed by law.
