‘Don’t threaten each other’ – Benn tells Indigenous leaders ahead of firearm licence distribution

Over 250 firearm licences will be issued soon, as promised at this year’s National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn specified that the licences will be issued for shotguns only to support crop and livestock protection in Indigenous communities.

As such, he said, the firearms must not be used to threaten fellow villagers.

“Make sure they are used for lawful activity, make sure they are no threats to each other by these weapons because if that is the case, they will be withdrawn,” Minister Benn warned the Indigenous leaders as more persons began requesting firearm licenses following the President’s announcement.

While addressing these concerns, Minister Benn emphasised the need for environmental responsibility when hunting with the firearms.

“One of the issues is that we cannot expect the Toshao to go hunting everyday.

“Importantly, we don’t want to be giving out licences and we start shooting up all the animals in the bush, we don’t want to shoot up the jaguars and so on, we don’t want a decline in our natural heritage in terms of our animals and so on,” Benn stressed.

And so, he said more robust laws to protect the wildlife in the country.

“We have to bring in sufficient laws for the protection of the species so that control has to be there and that advice has to be given,” Benn said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali made the announcement for the issuance of firearm licenses to be granted to persons in indigenous communities after requests were made for increased security support.

A special team was present at the conference to facilitate the firearm licence application process.

Meanwhile, Benn acknowledged challenges raised by leaders, particularly from communities like Wakapoa, as he pledged to assess the needs for police outposts in various communities.

The Minister also highlighted the expansion of community policing groups (CPGs) and the use of technology and intelligence in improving national sovereignty and public safety. He outlined recent strides in delivering emergency response and firefighting equipment to remote regions, as well as efforts to support victims of violence, especially in areas affected by substance abuse.

“Development will not be optimised without security. We must all work together to improve safety, ensure opportunity, and increase peace in Guyana,” Benn said.