Firearm News
Pastor Offers His Church for Unofficial Gun Amnesties in Bermuda
1 May 2014
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
A Bermuda pastor has offered his church as a neutral venue for gun amnesties.
The Rev Leonard Santucci, pastor at the AME's Vernon Temple in Southampton, said that, even if his proposal failed to get official sanction, he was prepared to accept firearms at his church or even collect them from people's homes.
Dr Santucci said he had been involved in a successful gun buy back programme while serving in a church in East Orange, New Jersey.
He added: "I believe the... (GunPolicy.org)
Cop Says Young Bermuda Gangsters Shoot, Kill Without Knowing Why
27 September 2013
Bermuda Sun
A new generation of gangster has emerged from four years of gunfire, bloodshed and deadly rivalry in Bermuda, according to the Police Commissioner.
Michael DeSilva says the "second generation" gang members that carry out most of the shootings now don't even know what they are fighting for because they have no reference point.
Mr DeSilva told the Bermuda Sun there remained a "remarkably small number of core gangsters in Bermuda capable of pulling the trigger".
He... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Police Seize Crime Guns Under 'Bounty Programme'
27 July 2013
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Police have seized nine guns linked to a slew of firearms offences this year.
And that statistic shows that a gun bounty initiative introduced in May has "delivered results", according to Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley.
In a statement delivered in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Dunkley said that five conventional handguns, two air pistols and two imitation firearms had been taken off the streets.
"As a result of forensic examination, one firearm has been... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermudian Student Jailed for Gun Smuggling Attempt
13 July 2013
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
A Bermudian college student has been jailed after he admitted importing two BB guns.
Shaquille Crockwell, 21, from Rock Lane West, Hamilton Parish, pleaded guilty yesterday to importing the prohibited weapons on April 22.
Magistrates' Court heard that Crockwell had returned to the Island on the day in question from his studies in Rhode Island.
While going through customs at LF Wade International Airport, Crockwell declared some throwing knives, which he brought for a... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Gun Clubs Upset Over Amendments to Gun Law
28 June 2013
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Local target shooting enthusiasts are mulling filing a complaint against Government for what they say is a law which discriminates against Bermudians.
They are also up in arms over the seizure of pistols valued at more than $70,000 by the Police Commissioner in 2011 for which they have not been compensated.
Bermuda's gun control regime began with the Firearms Act 1973, a legislative response to the murders of Police Commissioner George Duckett, the Governor Richard... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda MPs Pass Law to Ease Gun Imports for Competition
3 June 2013
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Parliament has approved a measure to allow importation of certain firearms required for shooting competitions — in time for the NatWest Island Games which will be held here in July.
The Opposition Progressive Labour Party opposed the measures arguing that it was prejudicial to Bermudians engaged in shooting sports and not enough consultation had been done.
But Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley, who sponsored the bill, argued otherwise.
The Firearms Amendment... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda's Strict Gun Laws to be Relaxed for Shooting Competition
29 May 2013
Bermuda Sun
Bermuda's strict gun laws are set to be temporarily relaxed to allow shooting competitions at July's international Island Games.
Minister for National Security Michael Dunkley said: "An amendment bill has been tabled which deals with putting everything in place to allow the Island Games to take place and have the shooting competitions take place."
Mr Dunkley added that he was also in talks over firearms legislation with the island's three gun clubs, who are seeking... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Govt Announces Gun Amnesty, Buyback to Cut Crime
15 April 2013
Global Post (Boston) / CANA News
Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley has announced that a cash for guns scheme is to be introduced next month in a fresh attack on violent crime in Bermuda.
The programme, run jointly with the independent Crime Stoppers group, will see cash rewards for information leading to the recovery of firearms or the arrest and prosecution of offenders.
Dunkley said an advertising blitz for the scheme will kick off this month after emphasising the independence and... (GunPolicy.org)
Concerns Raised as Convicted Bermuda Gunmen get Reduced Sentences
27 March 2013
Royal Gazette (Bermuda), Opinion
The Court of Appeal made two decisions last week which won't have escaped the attention of anyone worried about spiralling gun violence in this country.
As reported in The Royal Gazette on Friday, 22-year-old armed robber Jaron Roberts had his sentence for a crime spree involving an imitation firearm cut by almost a third.
And gunman Marico Bassett, also aged 22 and serving 25 years in prison for shooting Randy Lightbourne, was told he'd be eligible for parole two... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Crime Rate Drops But Little Change in Gun Murder Rate
26 February 2013
Bermuda Sun
Crime in Bermuda is falling — but gun killings remained at the same level last year compared to the year before.
The latest statistics released by police show that five men were shot dead in 2012, the same as in 2011.
But there were fewer gun injuries, with seven in 2012 and 11 in 2011.
There were also fewer murders year-on-year, with a further three non-gun murders logged in 2011 compared to last year.
The overall crime rate dropped by 382 offences (8.7 per cent)... (GunPolicy.org)
Double Gun Homicide Shocks Bermuda, Gun Violence Rising
24 January 2013
Caribbean360
HAMILTON, Bermuda - Police have launched an investigation after two men were shot and killed in a store in the central parish of Pembroke late Wednesday.
The incident that took place at Belvin's Variety Store was the first double murder to rock the island since the outbreak of gun violence that began plaguing Bermuda in 2009. The fatalities were also the first since the start of the year.
The police who have not yet released the names of the victims only described... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Violence Falling in Bermuda, Cops Hope New Plan Continues Trend
27 November 2012
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief has defended his Ministry's record on fighting gang violence.
But Government will implement a National Crime Reduction Plan which will "raise the game" on fighting crime even further, the media was told yesterday.
At Alaska Hall Mr Perinchief said that his Government had been "proactive" in fighting gang crime. An "easy guide" on community action and gang prevention had been widely distributed and well received, and... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Gun Deaths Condemned by Authorities
16 October 2012
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Politicians have expressed their outrage over the latest gun murder in Bermuda.
Michael Phillips, 42, was shot dead at the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club in Devonshire on Sunday night.
Yesterday, Walter Roban, the MP for Pembroke East, where the crime happened, said: "I wish to express my horror and sadness upon hearing of the tragic shooting at the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club. This area has seen one too many of these incidences and I am concerned about the well being of the... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Island Must Try Gun Buyback Scheme, Says Former Senator
19 September 2011
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
The state of New Jersey has well-publicised problems with gangs and guns and one Bermudian has been doing his part to try to solve them.
The Rev Leonard Santucci, pastor of St Paul AME Church in East Orange, was involved in a gun buy back programme, which resulted in the recovery of almost 1,000 guns in just a couple of days.
The scheme saw prosecutors in Essex County join forces with churches of various denominations to encourage those with guns to turn them in.
Dr... (GunPolicy.org)
CrimeStoppers Offer $100,000 Reward Pot for Bermuda Crime Gun Tip-offs
29 August 2011
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Postcards urging citizens to help stamp out gun crime will be sent to more than 20,000 homes in Bermuda as part of a new Crime Stoppers campaign.
The charity is today launching the initiative, which has the theme "Money for Guns", to tie in with The Royal Gazette's new series on unsolved gang murders.
It was prompted by the spate of 16 gang-related fatal shootings which have rocked Bermuda since May 2009 and aims to raise awareness about illegal guns circulating among... (GunPolicy.org)
Rising Gun Crime in Bermuda Spawned a Growing Trade in Bulletproof Vests
8 June 2011
Bermuda Sun
Increasing gun crime has spawned a growing trade in bulletproof vests in Bermuda.
A number of known gang members are regularly seen in protective vests, according to street intervention workers.
And several high-profile civilian figures — involved through their work in dealing with gang violence — told the Bermuda Sun they had invested in protective vests.
One businessman has been selling them on the streets to anyone willing to pay the price — understood to be... (GunPolicy.org)
Canada,Trinidad & Tobago,Bermuda
Gun Deaths Put Bermuda's Reputation Overseas at Risk, Warns Governor
20 April 2011
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Bermuda's latest gun victim David Clarke was the third foreigner killed in two years; something that's "bound to risk the Island's reputation", according to Governor Sir Richard Gozney.
Mr Clarke, 26, was born in Barbados but lived in Bermuda since his family moved here when he was four. He was shot dead on North Shore Road, Devonshire, around 10.30pm on Sunday.
His murder follows that of Jamaican James Lawes, gunned down in Pembroke on March 22, 2010, and... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda Considers Specialist 'Gun Court' to Reduce Firearm Violence
12 April 2011
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Bermuda could end up introducing a gun court with a panel of judges because jurors are appearing to show bias, according to National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief.
Mr Perinchief believes some jury members have been intimidated in their decision-making while others may have allowed themselves to be influenced by whether a defendant has a criminal record.
He says a panel of judges instead would ensure justice is served and police's work gathering evidence against... (GunPolicy.org)
Proposed Bermuda Gun Law Changes Would Allow Police More Power
29 May 2010
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
New legislature tabled could allow Police to hold firearm suspects for as long as a month without pressing charges.
And a second bill put before the House of Assembly yesterday would make it more difficult for firearms suspects to receive bail.
Shadow Minister for Justice Trevor Moniz said he generally supports the move, which give the Police more powers to fight the growing rate of gun violence.
However BDA MP Mark Pettingill called some of the changes "pretty... (GunPolicy.org)
Bermuda CrimeStoppers Offer $100,000 for Gun Violence Prevention Tips
27 March 2010
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Crime Stoppers Bermuda has renewed a $100,000 appeal for information on gun violence in Bermuda.
The offer is being made through partnership with concerned members of the business community and Rise Above, Bermuda.
The $100,000 will be given to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for the increase of gun crime, said Crime Stoppers Bermuda chairman John Drew.
Full-page advertisements appeared in The Royal Gazette and the Bermuda... (GunPolicy.org)