Senator: Gun rental, big business

Foster Cummings.
Foster Cummings.

GOVERNMENT Senator Foster Cummings lamented that individuals have made a business of renting out guns to criminals to commit crime, speaking in the Senate on Tuesday in support of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2019 which imposes hefty punishment on repeat offenders in gun crimes.

Saying the gun has replaced the machete as weapon of choice for criminals, he said, “There is a gun rental arrangement, if you can’t afford to purchase and if you have a ‘wuk’ to put down.

“Some people have made that a business.”

Cummings said TT can’t just sit down and ignore crime, or it will just get worse.

“When chaos is developing, the State has a responsibility to respond and set it back in order.”

He said the bill’s intent was not about locking up people for life but rather telling them that if they are caught with a gun they will feel the full brunt of the law.

“This (bill) is a step in the right direction. Guns are the fuel for the gang warfare taking place in TT.”

Guns are the tool of murders, robberies, kidnappings, home invasions and drugs, Cummings said.

“The time has come for us to take serious action against the criminal element who have taken advantage of law-abiding citizens year after year.”

The bill was passed with a simple majority.

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"Senator: Gun rental, big business"

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