Bahamas gun court launched Monday

Several persons in police custody in the Bahamas for alleged illegal gun possession were arraigned before the country's new gun court, which began operations on Monday.

The Bahamas government, in conjunction with the judiciary, announced last week that is is setting up the court in an attempt to ensure that those found in possession of illegal firearms are quickly prosecuted.

Attorney General John Delaney told reporters in Nassau the government is determined "to make a full-frontal assault on firearm offences." 

Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, whp also spoke at the news conference, said a special inter-agency task force has also been set up to address the issue of illegal firearm possession.

“A special effort is being made to deal with illegal firearms and the prosecution of illegal firearm possession,” said Turnquest.

Delaney told the media that police would prosecute matters before the gun court. He added that officials would seek to isolate gun charges from other offences an individual may face. The gun charge would then be prosecuted “as quickly as possible.”

The AG said the goal is to make sure that those found in possession of illegal firearms are jailed.

According to police data, guns were used in 69 out of the 94 homicides recorded in the Bahamas in 2010. Last year police seized 351 illegal firearms and 6,224 rounds of ammunition. In 2009, they seized 312 illegal firearms and 4,388 rounds of ammunition.