Dominica: RC priest urges young people to hand over illegal weapons

A Roman Catholic priest, who says it is very painful for him when he has to officiate at the funeral of a slain person, has called on persons with illegal guns to take full advantage of the one-month amnesty that was announced by the Dominica government.

“Bring them (illegal guns) to the Presbytery. Bring them to me. No one will be looking at you, no one will try to arrest you, no one will take you to task or court, bring the guns to me,” said Father Branker John, the parish priest of Grandbay.

National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore told a news conference last week that the amnesty would begin on October 1 and proposed legislative changes would also allow for persons to be denied bail while awaiting trial on gun charges.

“This amnesty therefore is directed to two distinct sets of people. Firstly, those who know that they are in possession of illegal firearms or ammunition and secondly, those who are perhaps innocent custodians of a weapon, component or ammunition and possibly even unsure as to its legal status but are too frightened to do anything about it,” Blackmoore said.

Father John said “it hurts every time I have to bury one of you.

“It is really painful for me and I say this to you every time brothers, I don’t want to bury you. I want you to live a long and fruitful life for your children, care for your parents, grandparents,” he said, adding that he is supportive of the amnesty.

“It is a start…in the right direction and as Parish priest of Grandbay, I am moved by this initiative because I have to deal with this almost on a  daily basis, not just when a young man is killed through gun violence, but with all the troubles taking place…the family struggles,” he added.

Earlier this month, the prime minister urged illegal firearm holders to turn in their firearms to the police after the island recorded 12 murders so far this year.

Defence attorney Ronald Charles said both the mother and girlfriends of those involved in criminal activities also have a role to play in getting them to hand in their illegal weapons.

“They know where the guns are so they too can take up that initiative and be brave and do what needs to be done so our society can be a better place to live,” he said, adding that it is important because young people would be able to Know that “right and wrong becomes important”.