Nation traumatised by crime wave

THE EDITOR: Trinidad is today suffering from a wave of murders and fatal road accidents that is unprecedented in the history of the island. This situation has got the society so traumatised that people are quite sceptical to socialise or even to leave their homes after sunset. People do not feel safe any more even within their own homes. And the police laments: ‘What more can we do?’

What is the difficulty or hindrance that prevents the government from outlawing the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, making such possession liable to a mandatory term of imprisonment, of say, from three to five years at the level of the Magistrate Court, and much more at the level of the High Court, exclusive of any other fines or other forms of punishment that may be found necessary?

ALEXANDER  LEGALL
Port-of-Spain