No bail for gun crimes a step in the right direction

Dear Editor,

The law plays many functions which include keeping the peace and enhancing personal freedom, promoting economic growth through free competition, promoting social justice and protecting the environment.

Law acts as a deterrent to control the evil and treacherous behaviour of humans, to maintain discipline and imposes restrictions on some freedom. There is no doubt that we live in a chaotic and unpredictable world. Without an orderly environment based on and backed by law, the normal activities of life would be lacerated with chaos.

It is no secret that we have been plagued by gun-related crimes here in Trinidad and Tobago. This trend has grown exponentially from the late 1980’s to present day. I believe that enough is enough. We must support any initiative to hold persons who possess illegal firearms. The Attorney General has recently proposed that persons held with illegal firearms should be denied bail for 120 days. If the case doesn’t start during this time, they can apply for bail.

I have been a victim of gun crime. One night around 9pm, two bandits held me up by my gate, beat me and pushed me inside. They proceeded to molest female members of my family. Before leaving they shot me twice in my right leg. To date, we have never recovered from the scared this left on our family.

I hope that all with the power can support this bill. This is definitely a step in the right direction.
The Attorney General should be lauded for this.

Marvin McDonald
via email