A prominent defense attorney does not believe that the recent amendments to the Fire Arms Act will act as a deterrent for first time offenders.
In the amendment to the act which took effect from January 1st this year, a first offense should now carry a sentence of ten to twenty years for first timers and from 20 years to life for second time offenders.
The legislation also now states that those assisting other in these crimes can be subject to the same penalties.
Speaking on VOB’s Brasstacks Sunday Programme, Defense Attorney, Kings Counsel, Michael Lashley, said that emphasis should be placed on implementing rehabilitative programmes for such individuals.
He explained that there are often other social issues that need to be addressed.
Defense Attorney, Kings Counsel, Michael Lashley
Meanwhile, Acting Attorney General, Wilfred Abrahams, who was also on the programme stressed that whether the amendments can be a deterrent, depends on the individual’s mentality.
He also noted that it will severely punish hardened criminals.
Acting Attorney General, Wilfred Abrahams
