367 firearms seized so far this year

“Despite our consistency in removing firearms from off the streets...the TTPS is deeply concerned with the availability of firearms and its use in crimes,” said ASP Pierre during the weekly police press briefing in Port of Spain. The police spokesman said that in the continued effort to remove illegal guns, police have been working closely with the Air Guard, Coast Guard and regiment to carry out searches on land, in the air and at sea.

Newsday understands that guns have been used in the majority of violent crimes.

Statistics show that 77 per cent of this year’s murders, 32 per cent of robberies and 60 per cent of woundings, all involved the use of firearms. He added that in 2016, police seized 617 firearms the highest in a calendar year and added they would continue the work this year.

Pierre attributed the seizure this year and last year to diligent police work and assistance from the public.

Of the 350 guns seized this year, the Southern Division got the most with 58, and Tobago the least, with six.

The guns range from pistols and revolvers to sub-machine guns and high powered rifles.

Police also found and seized about 4,717 rounds of ammunition of varying calibre this year. Calibres range from 9 mm, used in pistols and sub-machine guns, to 5.56 ammo used in military type assault rifles.

FIREARMS SEIZED BY DIVISION
PoS: 29
South: 58
West: 50
North: 59
Central: 51
South West: 37
East: 33
North East: 44
Tobago:

6 TYPES OF FIREARMS Revolvers:
71 Pistols:
203 Shotguns:
26 SMG:
10 Rifles:
5 Air rifles:
2 Home-made shotguns:
23 Trapguns:
15 Modified:
2 Others: 10