National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has announced that a total of four illegal firearms have been surrendered to the police following a ‘Gun and Ammunition Amnesty’ which came into effect from July 16 to August 15, 2025.
This was done as a continuation of previous efforts, including those in 2007 and October 2023, to address the pressing issue of illegal firearms and related criminal activities.
“We had a one-month period where people could have brought in their illegal firearms without fear of being prosecuted or charged,” he told the media recently. “Thus far, based on the advice I have gotten from the Police Chief, four firearms have been returned.”
He continued, “It means, therefore, that they made [a] rational decision to keep their firearms.”
According to Blackmoore, the firearm issue is being confronted very seriously.
“We are moving to have, in due time, our own forensic lab where we can start, firstly, with a system to be able to capture the ballistics of guns that are being used to commit crimes,” he explained.
Additionally, he said two police officers will be sent to Trinidad for a period of two years to become scientists in the areas of forensics and will be able to testify before the court.
“We are moving forward with that,” Blackmoore said.
During the ‘Gun and Ammunition Amnesty’ the government encouraged individuals with illegal firearms or ammunition—whether they are certain of their legal status or unsure—to surrender these weapons without fear of prosecution, emphasizing that firearms can be handed in at any police station across the island or through trusted community figures if individuals were apprehensive about surrendering personally.
this continues to prove a point….either they don’t trust the police or the government or just stubbornness…..but this worthless government must take this serious….for no one takes the police seriously….they cannot be trusted…..there are so many things which need fixing in this country and 25 years they keep brushing it under the carpet . just politics…..
that’s not news waste of time to read that raymond should be ashamed of himself do better than that maron
Blackmore is CARICOM’S worst National Security Minister. To call him a buffoon is an understatement by a very long way. It’s only in Dominica this pinhead can hold this position.
While its 3 guns less on our streets, can the dimwit think of other ways? I know thinking outside the box is not the forte of this regime, but papa bondieu, why Blackmore is the Minister of National Security? Really? Not even talk the doltish can talk properly.
MEME
So what firearm and ammunition amnesty have to do with forensic scientist.Forensic scientist will say which gun fired a certain round of ammo.If the police doe have the gun then what?Boy what you need to get illegal guns is massive police PUBLIC relation,the police must work with the PUBLIC.Police officers today are so damn slack and lazy the public do not trust them.Now a days police cannot see without glasses,if you take the glasses they do not know where is East and where is West.There was a burglary at the St.Joseph police station,Rayburn said it was a robbery.What is 4 guns?
Amnesty for owner with illegal firearms has been tried time immemorial. It success it largely negligible. It doesn’t work.
I don’t even believe the National Insecurity dimwit (Blackmoore) that four firearms were surrendered. Usually, other countries put these on public display. It was colossal failure as I predicted. Gun amnesty does not work!
Countries need to develop policies and strategies then invest in resources like ongoing training of law-enforcement agencies (crime labs, canine units, X-ray security machines at ports of entry) etc.
The prosperity of a country relies on efforts to maintain national security. This Roosevelt misguided regime has failed enormously to protect the inhabitants from the ravages of crime. Get rid of them ASAP.
unfortunately that’s failed effort. tell Blackmoore come again. people don’t and can’t trust you. people don’t trust the government. they don’t believe the government can protect them.
No one should ever vote a law enforcement anywhere in Dominica not village council, town council, Minister of government.
That should be most of the illegal firearms in the country. The rest are all legal by license or by association.