Fake guns contribute to crime figures, says Malahoo Forte

 

 

Marlene Malahoo Forte, former Attorney General as well as Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, is not convinced that possession of an imitation firearm should be excluded from a minimum 15-year sentence under the Firearms Act.

 

Mrs. Malahoo Forte, who was integral in the formulation of the law which was passed in 2022, says disaggregated data on gun crimes were reviewed as part of the process.

 

Speaking Monday on Radio Jamaica's Hotline, she said fake guns contribute to crime figures.

 

"If you look at it as not being able to fire from it, and if you frame it exclusively in that way, of course you're going to lead to a conclusion. The perspective that needs to be appreciated is that having a firearm or what appears to be a firearm, walking around with it, creates an intimidating presence in certain spaces, silencing witnesses, silencing people. And that harm is equally measurable," she insisted.

 

She has suggested defence attorneys present data to support their argument that mandatory minimum sentences have caused a backlog in Gun courts.

 

"It's always helpful when you are reviewing to get the disaggregated data. So what I think that may be helpful and perhaps the attorneys as they prepare for further dialogue with the government, I'd like to hear about the plea decline rate, the trial backlog, how that has grown, the disproportionate outcome, again not just anecdotal, because bad case may worse laws. Bad laws will make worse laws," she told Hotline host Simon Crosskill.