Firearms Act to be amended to include plea negotiations

By Clinton McGregor    

 

The government intends to introduce tough new legislation this year to crack down on organised crime and firearm offences.

 

This was outlined in the Throne Speech delivered by Custos of Kingston, Steadman Fuller, during the ceremonial opening of the Parliament on Thursday morning.

 

Custos Fuller, who was deputising for Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, said the government remains committed to reducing major crimes, improving public order and enhancing public safety.

 

He added that significant progress has been made in modernising Jamaica's anti-crime policies and legislative framework to achieve these goals in accordance with Plan Secure Jamaica. 

 

"The amendments to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency Act and the Interception of Communications Act have strengthened investigative tools, enabling more effective action against organised crime and firearm offences. The JamaicaEye CCTV network is expanding and the C5 Security Business Solution contract is advancing data-driven policing," he highlighted. 

 

For the 2025/2026 year, the government's legislative priorities include updates to the Firearms Act to include a framework for plea negotiation, among other things. 

 

"This is consequent to the effectiveness of the new mandatory minimum penalty which has increased the level of interest among accused persons in entering guilty pleas," said Custos Fuller. 

 

The Firearms Act was passed in 2022, and after a year of being tested in court, National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang announced in Parliament in November 2023 that the Act was being reviewed.

 

Now, the government is proposing a maximum of life imprisonment for possession of an illegal weapon with a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

 

The amendments are expected to be brought to Parliament before March 2026.