Gun Amnesty begins this weekend

A new gun amnesty will begin this weekend, and provisions have been made for illegal guns to the police in a safe manner without fear of prosecution.

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, confirming the arrangements in Parliament on Tuesday, explained that special arrangements were set up for the various scenarios which will see persons wishing to hand over weapons.

This amnesty will last only two weeks.

Jamaica first had a national firearms amnesty in 1973 as the administration of Prime Minister Michael Manley sought to turn back the tide of rising gun violence half a century ago.