Police welcome CATCH Act to curb flow of illicit weapons into Jamaica

By Prince Moore    

 

The police high command has welcomed the introduction of the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act to help curb illicit arms trafficking from the United States into Jamaica and other countries in the region.

 

Deputy Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey says the bill is in response to calls for the US to further assist in stemming the flow of illegal guns into these countries. 

 

"I know that we have been working with our international partners. I know that from the level of the political administration, there have been several meetings on a regional basis. There have also been several meetings trying to enlist the support of the United States in particular to prevent the inflow of illicit weapons to our region. I know that there's a regional body that was set up that is manned by individuals from ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and other US law enforcement representatives as well as Caribbean law enforcement representatives," he said. 

 

The bill seeks to build on the success of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which focused on cracking down on straw purchases and domestic trafficking offences.

 

Straw purchases in this case refer to a person buying firearms on behalf of someone who cannot make the purchase themselves.