TRINIDAD-AG says the Cabinet has not yet approved the proposed Firearms Bill

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—Attorney General Reginald Armour has described as “unfortunate” the misinterpretation of the feedback on a draft bill developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as the government’s policy.

In a statement, Armour said that the draft Firearms Bill “is still under continuous review and is not yet Cabinet approved.”

Addressing a public meeting of her main opposition, the United National Congress (UNC), along the east-west corridor on Monday night, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said the opposition would not support the government’s efforts to amend the Firearm Act, which she insisted would make it much more difficult for law-abiding citizens to access legal weapons.

“They want to make it harder for you to get legal firearms, and they want to take away those who already have legal guns. As I say, we will fight them. They are doing everything they can to get criminals to attack you.

“They are recommending guns free zones…in the Parliament, they said courts, colleges child centers, bars and places of worship and any government or private buildings declared by the minister…and the next place they will say is in front of your house,’ she told supporters.

But Armour said that in 2022, the UNODC, in furtherance of cooperation with the Trinidad and Tobago government, invited the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs (AGLA) to participate in fulsome discussions on implementing the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Component of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap to counter illicit firearms trafficking and misuse across the region.

He said subsequently, the UNODC, in collaboration with the AGLA, engaged critical criminal justice stakeholders and presented findings of its legislative assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s firearm legislation to conduct a continuous legislative review process with Trinidad and Tobago and provide legal assistance and guidance to enhance the national legal framework concerning firearms, in line with international and regional instruments.

“Culminating from this legislative assessment was the UNODC’s Report on Trinidad and Tobago’s Implementation of the United Nations Firearms Protocol and complementing international and regional instruments on arms control 2022.”

Armour said that this report provides several recommendations based on critical obligations in the Firearms Protocol and other relevant international and regional instruments that propose amendments to the Firearms Act.

He said they include definitions used in the Firearms Act, the establishment of mandatory import marking, updating record-keeping requirements towards establishing a centralized, digital, and comprehensive firearms registry, and an effective and consistent system for international transfers of firearms, their parts, components, and ammunition.

Armour said that last year, key stakeholders were consulted and given the opportunity to provide feedback on these proposed amendments.

He said in collaboration with the UNODC. The AGLA has been in continuous engagement with key stakeholders including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Judiciary, the Ministry of National Security, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Public Defender’s Department as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.

Armour said that after significant collaboration and consultation, the UNODC developed a proposed Draft Firearms Bill 2024 for Trinidad and Tobago, aligned with the international legal framework on firearms.

“The UNODC provided this Draft Bill to the AGLA for the Attorney General’s consideration. This Draft Bill proposes a comprehensive system of firearms control regulation in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Armour said that the AGLA circulated the draft legislation in March 2024 to stakeholders, seeking their feedback.

“It is unfortunate that feedback sought by the Attorney General on a draft Bill developed by the UNODC, through a meticulous and longstanding stakeholder engagement process, which is still undergoing active consultation, has been made public and is being misinterpreted as government’s policy.

“This draft Bill does not represent government policy, and any attempts to portray it as such is unauthorized and a wrong representation,” Armour said, adding, “It is relevant here to state that, as part of its mandate, the Office of the Attorney General is tasked with reviewing the laws of Trinidad and Tobago with a view to their systematic development and reform.

“It is, therefore, established procedure for the Attorney General to engage in policy reviews for potential legislative amendments. Stakeholder engagement by the AGLA is an engrained component of the preliminary legislative development process that informs the Attorney General of critical proposals made through the consultative exercise.

“The Attorney General reviews these proposals and refers them to the Law Reform Commission for further consideration and policy development before submission for Cabinet approval. At this present time, the reference to the Law Reform Commission of this draft Bill has not yet taken place.”

Armour said that the illegal use of firearms continues to pose severe and grievous threats to public safety and security.

“Addressing these issues requires robust and comprehensive legislative measures aligned with international legal framework and best practices.

“Importantly, consultation with stakeholders is essential to ensure that the Attorney General’s legislative proposals put forward to the Cabinet effectively address Trinidad and Tobago’s specific needs and concerns.

“Stakeholder consultation ensures that the drafting process benefits from diverse perspectives, expertise, and insights. Their feedback is crucial for developing a legislative framework that is not only legally sound but also practical, enforceable, and responsive to the realities of the issues currently facing Trinidad and Tobago.”

Armour said that thus far, the continuous work undertaken by the UNODC, the AGLA, and all stakeholders who have provided valuable input over the years is all aimed at generating key insight in the development of thoroughly consulted policy and legislation to buttress our firearms laws in Trinidad and Tobago.

He added, “The Cabinet-approved policy on this matter will be revealed to the public through official channels on behalf of the government when the stakeholder engagement process is completed.”