Beautiful Virgin Islands


NDP Gov't had challenges enforcing mandatory sentencing - Hon Penn on gun laws

NDP Gov't had challenges enforcing mandatory sentencing - Hon Penn on gun laws

Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R1) has said the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had challenges enforcing minimum mandatory sentences regarding illegal weapons.

Speaking during the debate of the Explosives (Amendment) Act 2021 at the Ninth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on May 13, 2021, Hon Penn said his Government faced bottlenecks with getting mandatory sentences enforced.

“I don’t believe, Mr Speaker, that the issue is one of inadequate laws, or not stiff enough penalties. I believe the challenge that we had is that we tried to do minimum mandatory sentences… we got push back at the time from the drafters,” Hon Penn said.

According to the Opposition Leader, the pushback affected the ability of the NDP government to enforce the laws, which he said must be addressed now. He also indicated that the hindrances may not have been an issue of either the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) or the Magistrate’s office.

The Opposition Leader said that all HoA members have a responsibility to have a conversation and create solutions to address crime that affects the people they represent in the territory.


Conversation on crime needed - Hon Penn


“I think it’s a conversation we need to re-look at this time,” Hon Penn said while underscoring that there is a willingness by persons to do what it takes to ensure that the full extent of the law to be extended to people who are found with illegal weapons and those who commit crimes with it.

“We have to seriously sit down… and have that conversation about crime in our territory. We cannot get to solutions, Mr Speaker, unless we have the conversation,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said that all HoA members have a responsibility to have a conversation and create solutions to address crime that affects the people they represent in the territory.

The issue of gun crime in the Virgin Islands has come to the fore again with the recent upsurge in shootings.


What the law says?


The Virgin Islands Firearms and Air Guns (Amendment) Act of 2015, says a person convicted of keeping or carrying a firearm is liable “to a fine of not less than fifty thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or both”.

All shotguns and paintball guns remain prohibited in addition to firearm made up in the form of a propelling pen or pencil, capable of being used for discharging gas, bullets, shot, dye or pyrotechnic flares or is capable of discharging any irritant in liquid, powder, gas or chemical form, any pyrotechnic flare or dye, or any article known as a paintball.

The court can; however, exercise discretion and impose a lesser penalty if it is fair and just in all the circumstances, if it is of the opinion that the imposition of the minimum five-year penalty is arbitrary and disproportionate, or if the offender is unfit to serve the minimum sentence or is of advanced years.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Unelected PM of the UK holds an emergency meeting because a candidate got voted in… which he says is a threat to democracy…
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
Rob Schneider explains California reparations legislation.
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
Who knew badminton could get so intense?
BVI Freedom Song
Farmers break through police barriers in Brussels.
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
London's Iconic British Telecom Tower Sold To Become Hotel
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
Ukraine Arrests Father-Son Duo In Lockbit Cybercrime Bust
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
US Offers $15 Million For Info On Leaders Of Cybercrime Group Lockbit
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Russia Claims UK Cultural Agency Spied for Ukraine
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
Hello Dolly
Alexei Navalny: UK sanctions Russian prison chiefs after activist's death
for KING & COUNTRY - Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae & The WRLDFMS Tony Wi
German economy is in 'troubled waters' - ministry
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Yes He Can
New video
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Tucker Carlson says Boris Johnson wants "a million dollars, in Bitcoin or cash, from Tucker Carlson to talk about Ukraine.
Unforgettable
Russia is rebuilding capacity to destabilize European countries, new UK report warns
Touch The Hem Of His Garment
EU Commission wants anti-drone defenses at Brussels HQ
The Lord's Prayer
Von der Leyen’s 2nd-term pitch: More military might, less climate talk
THE GOD MOVEMENT...BEAUTIFUL BVI
Global Law Enforcement Dismantles Lockbit Ransomware Operation
Siyahamba
Prince William Urges End to Gaza Conflict
Ray Charles And The Voices Of Jubilaton, Oh, Happy Day
UK court to hear Assange's final appeal against extradition to the US, where he faces charges related to his journalistic work—the publication of a classified video in 2010 that exposed US war crimes against humanity.
Ramblin' Rose
About 50-60% kids either chose to be YouTuber or influencer
Protoje - Who Knows ft. Chronixx
A viral video of Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce lying on a Canberra footpath is celebrated by his media mates.
Pressure - Virgin Islands Nice
European Countries React to Navalny's Death by Summoning Russian Diplomats
Phil Wickham - House Of The Lord
Israel has gone ‘beyond self-defence’ in Gaza, says Labour’s Streeting
My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
English farmers to be offered ‘largest ever’ grant scheme amid food security concerns
The Lion King Circle of Life by LEBO M. — LIVE at the HAVASI Symphonic
Cameron government knew Post Office ditched Horizon IT investigation
Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In
EU Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Conflict
Kanye West Sunday Service - hallelujah, salvation, and glory
EU Vows To Hold Putin "Accountable" After Meeting Alexei Navalny's Wife
Jonathan Nelson - I Believe (Island Medley
EU Launches Probe Into TikTok Over Child Protection Under Digital Content Law
From The Virgin Islands Sqad Up
The EU Initiates Naval Mission to Defend Red Sea Trade Routes
Common, John Legend - Glory
EU and UK Announce Joint Effort on Migration
Anthony Evans vs. Jesse Campbell - If I Ain't Got You
Brazil's Lula Likens Gaza Operation to Holocaust, Israel Says "Red Line" Crossed
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
Ministers Confirm Proposal to Prohibit Mobile Phone Usage in English Schools
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
Microsoft-backed OpenAI valued at $80bn after company completes deal
BVI Freedom Song
‘Alexei would want to tell Russia not to give up fighting’
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
Rwandan Footballer's Dismissal Sparks Concerns Over UK Asylum Plan
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
Whisky Challenges China's Baijiu Market During New Year Celebrations
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
Avdiivka - Symbol Of Ukrainian Resistance Now In Control Of Russian Troops
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Putin Critic Alexei Navalny's "Killers" Refusing To Hand Over Body, Say Allies
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
×