Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Definition of ‘explosives’ broadened to boost crime fighting efforts

Definition of ‘explosives’ broadened to boost crime fighting efforts

Prosecutors now have greater legislative support in bringing persons charged with firearms-related offences before the court with the passage of a new amendment to the territory’s Explosives Act.

Lawmakers have added several new provisions to the Act by widening the definition of ‘explosives’ to includes explosive materials that may be used in a firearm or used as ammunition.

Gun cartridge cases, blank cartridges, or training cartridges now all fall under the definition of explosives.

While emphasising that gun crimes have no place in the BVI society, government minister Kye Rymer — the initiator of the amendment — said legislators continue to expend every effort so that persons involved in firearms-related offences are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and not released because of technical deficiencies in the legislation.

According to the Minister, the Court of Appeal in 2020 overturned a matter where a guilty plea was accepted for possession of explosives.

At the time, the judge ruled that ammunition could not have been properly charged under the explosives ordinance for possession of explosives.

Rymer said the judgment set a precedence that essentially hindered law enforcement operations and prevented persons from being charged by the police and brought before the court for the possession of ammunition and explosives.

It also stymied cases that were before the court under the Firearms Act at the time.

The newly amended law now ensures the definition of explosives is on par with the definition of ammunition and explosives as stated in the Firearms Act, Rymer explained.

He said the amendment now gives law enforcement the necessary support to bring matters related to gun possession before the court.

Serious conversation needed for gun crimes


In his contribution to the debate on the amendment, Opposition Leader Marlon Penn said while he supports the Bill, the amendment sparks a bigger conversation about serious gun crime that seems to be plaguing the BVI.

“We cannot get to solutions unless we have the conversation,” Penn reasoned.

He said the BVI needs to get back to community policing and argued that notions suggesting ‘there is no integrity in law enforcement’ needs to be dispelled.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×