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Hon Smith wants mandatory jail time for possession of illegal guns

Deputy Speaker and Territorial At-Large member in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) has called for stiffer penalties relating to gun crimes, including mandatory jail time for those found with illegal guns. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The Explosive Amendment Act 2021, was passed without amendments in the HoA on May 13, 2021, and paves the way for the meaning of the word explosives to be extended under VI laws. Photo: Internet Source
The Explosive Amendment Act 2021, was passed without amendments in the HoA on May 13, 2021, and paves the way for the meaning of the word explosives to be extended under VI laws. Photo: Internet Source
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Deputy Speaker and Territorial At-Large member in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) has called for stiffer penalties relating to gun crimes, including mandatory jail time for those found with illegal guns.

Speaking during the debates of the Explosive Amendment Act 2021, at the Ninth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on May 13, 2021, Hon Smith said as it relates to illegal guns, more needs to be done.

Still penalties for illegal guns

“We have to be serious when it comes to these gun crimes, and I really feel that we need to make a stiffer fine, when it comes to these guns,” he said.

Hon Smith continued, “We have to be sure that we are not going to sit here and accept this kind of behaviour. These guns getting in here somehow, some way, they getting in here. But we have to find where they are coming from. We have to make it so stiff, that they will think twice before they think about bringing a gun in the Virgin Islands.”

The legislator said setting stiff penalties will aid in controlling gun crimes and unless all legislators take a stand, they won’t be affected until it gets ‘closer to home.’ 

More needs to be done – Hon Smith

The Explosive Amendment Act 2021, was passed without amendments in the HoA on May 13, 2021, and paves the way for the meaning of the word 'explosives' to be extended under VI laws.

Hon Smith said he backs the law as it will allow for the arrest of persons found in possession of explosives and allow the DPP to prosecute for the unlawful possession of explosives such as those used in firearms, however, he said more needs to be done.

“I think we need to go deeper into this bill and make it mandatory that when somebody is caught with a gun, you go in prison, not even a fine.”

The legislator also called for even stiffer laws for those found smuggling guns into the territory.

20 Responses to “Hon Smith wants mandatory jail time for possession of illegal guns”

  • Lb (15/05/2021, 11:14) Like (7) Dislike (17) Reply
    Guns don't kill people. People kill people. No where has stiffer fun laws than the UK. Check their stats. Same for USA.
    • Rubber Duck (16/05/2021, 05:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      OK, here’s the stats

      U.K. stiff gun control, mandatory long sentences for possession , gun deaths 2017 , 29

      USA, anyone can obtain a gun, legally or illegally , gun deaths 2017, 39,000
  • PSA (15/05/2021, 11:26) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not a fan of the VIP, But Neville A. Smith I think that the whole Cabinet should go along with you on this one.
  • True (15/05/2021, 11:44) Like (45) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mandatory 10 years please. 20 years for use in commission of another crime such a robbery. Pull the trigger 25 years. Someone shot 30 years. Someone kill, life without parole.
  • Lol sheep (15/05/2021, 11:45) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Sheep don’t bite your tongue boy
  • Tattoo (15/05/2021, 11:46) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    The man is speaking good
  • Funny (15/05/2021, 11:54) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    there is already a 5yr mandatory scentence perhaps he should keep up
  • WOULD YOU? (15/05/2021, 12:02) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    WOULD YOU ALSO AGREE THAT IF ANY OF YOUR VERY CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS BE CAUGHT WITH AN UNLICENED GUN THAT THEY ALSO BE SENT T0 PRISON MANDATORY? OR WOULD Y0U HIRE A DOCT0R TO SAY THAT THEY ARE IMCOMPOTENT AND ENEPTLY CRAZY? OR WOULD YOU STÀND FOR JUSTICE? WOULD YOU, HONORQBLE NEVILLE SMITH? THE VOTING PUBLIC DESERVED AN HOHEST FROM YOU, ASAP. EASY SAID THAN DONE.
  • Citizen (15/05/2021, 13:01) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is a mandatory sentence. Not sure why u speaking as if there is none.

    Also, politicians and pastors keep going to court to plead for leniency when criminals are caught.
  • rewrsdffds (15/05/2021, 13:26) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Caught with an illegal gun is Automatically 6 years - each shot carry minimum and of 3 years each
  • WHAT!!!! (15/05/2021, 13:40) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Already a mandatory jail sentence but the courts never apply it just give some little fine or probation for some reason which I can not understand.
  • Biasness is unjust. (15/05/2021, 14:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many would be pleased if put the most severe penalties on others, that are not the next of kin or their close friends and associates. But if those that they favor were caught with an unlicenced gun, they stand defencively ready to twist the law, like a crooked snake to easy the pressure off them.
    That is what they called good and balance leadership. I call it wickedness against God and humanity. Isn't it any longer what good for the goose good for the gander?
  • jail time (15/05/2021, 15:10) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    do you think this generation cares about jail time at 18 year i go jail for 20 years when i come out i am still young. most of the crimes committed in our territory are purely crimes of opportunity
  • jhgfhgfhgfh (15/05/2021, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  • The Real Judge (15/05/2021, 17:44) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Smith is correct. If you going to fight crime, you have to dish out harsh penalties. There should be a mandatory ten years jail for a fire arm. In the commission of a crime, it should be twenty. If you shoot someone then do the thirty and if you kill someone it should be life. People would think before they pick up arms and attempt to kill others. If you don't do this the BVI is going to be just like other big countries like Jamaica, Trinidad, Belize, and America. All you all politicians need to agree on this one. This isn't about you all, its about the bright future of our Territory.
  • What's Mandatory (15/05/2021, 18:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need mandatory to mean mandatory. Mandatory jail time for gun crimes and mandatory deportation for nonbvilaner serving the required time or repeated times in prison and what every else is supposed to be mandatory. These mandatory supposed to be automatic, not even the judge can't help you. Let's get serious about crime!
  • I agree,, Other crimes too.. (16/05/2021, 05:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have to agree with Neville 100%, but we also need mandatory Jail time for officials that used their office to commit fraud, embezlement, larceny and wilful - misappropriation of public funs and crack sellers also, all these are the roots of crime and criminality...these have great level of addiction and mental instability that creates bad decisions, bad judgement.


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