Two church leaders join call to review Firearms Act

Retired Archbishop Howard Gregory, left, and Bishop Dr. Alvin Bailey, president of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance, right.

Two church leaders are calling for the Firearms Act to be reviewed to allow judges more discretion when sentencing individuals found in possession of an illegal weapon.

The Firearms Act came into effect in November 2022. It stipulates that gun possession, whether real or imitation, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Defence attorneys withdrew their services for two days this week to protest the provision. They’re calling for the legislation to be revised.

Retired Archbishop Howard Gregory says the act should be reviewed to provide judges with more sentencing latitude.

Retired Archbishop Howard Gregory.

President of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance, Bishop Dr. Alvin Bailey, agrees.

Bishop Dr. Alvin Bailey, president of the Jamaica Evangelical Alliance.

They were speaking on Nationwide at Five on Thursday.