By Warren Bertram
Everton Fisher, Councillor for the Balaclava Division in St. Elizabeth, has called for an education programme on the changes to the Firearms Act.
Mr. Fisher said citizens are not fully aware of the new legislation and how it may affect them.
He argued that people could unwittingly run afoul of the law and be "put away for extended periods" if they are not made aware of the changes.
The councillor suggested that police youth clubs or other civic organisations could help to educate members of the public to prevent such situations.
It not only increases penalties for illegal possession of firearms, but it has changed the entire regime surrounding the use, handling, sale, and management of firearms by various authorised personnel.
Other key features of the law are the creation of new offences surrounding the illicit trading in firearms, as well as new procedures for how these offences are to be treated in court.
