100 illegal guns removed from the streets this year

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has removed 100 illegal firearms from the streets so far in 2025 and investigations revealed that the country’s gun problem is being fueled heavily by weapons coming from other countries.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, speaking at the launch of the GPF’s Christmas Policing Plan, said the force’s intelligence-led operations continue to target the supply chains feeding firearms into criminal hands.

Among the guns seized were 57 pistols, 12 revolvers, 29 shotguns, and 2 rifles.

Although Guyana does not manufacture firearms, the weapons recovered this year show a wide international footprint. Of the 100 guns seized:

•16 originated from the United States

•16 came from Brazil

•7 from Austria

•7 from Italy and,

•5 from Venezuela

Others were traced to Turkey, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany, while 31 firearms are still undergoing verification.

Blanhum highlighted that pistols continue to dominate the illegal firearm landscape, largely because they are easy to conceal and remain the weapon of choice for serious offenders.

With weapon origins spanning North America, South America, and Europe, the GPF says it will continue to strengthen efforts to intercept these foreign-made guns before they reach local criminals.