DR. PETER PHILLIPS, the National Security Minister, yesterday said that his comments with regard to penalties for persons caught dealing in arms and ammunition were misrepresented by The Gleaner.
The report quoted him as advocating the hanging of persons convicted of importing and distributing high- power weapons and ammunition. The report said that Dr. Phillips had called for those taking in arms in the country to be hanged if caught and convicted.
He said that in responding to questions following his address on Wednesday to the Jamaica-British Business Association, he expressed the view that persons convicted of arms and ammunition offences ought to face the maximum penalties allowed for such crimes. Under the current provision of the law, the penalties for the illegal importation of arms and ammunition range from a fine of $2,000 to life imprisonment.
"I don't believe that a crime that involves the importation and distribution of high-powered weaponry should not attract the highest penalty the society can offer," the minister had said.
He explained that the point of his argument was the relationship between crime and penalties. In the case of the importation of arms and ammunition, he said that this should be specifically targeted to ensure that the penalty for such crimes always matched the severity of the offence and that existing legislation should be reviewed to ensure this.
The National Security Minister emphasised that at no time in his address did he suggest broadening of the current penalties to include capital punishment and that no such plan was being contemplated by the Government.
