Gun law credited with decrease in murders, says Chuck

JUSTICE Minister Delroy Chuck signalled Sunday that while legislators are set to review the mandatory minimum sentences under the 2022 Firearms Act, a repeal is unlikely as security forces and other key stakeholders are crediting the law for the sharp decline in murders and shootings in recent times. According to the Serious Crimes Report published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), up to July this year Jamaica recorded 275 murders, 23 per cent less than the 335 reported during the same period in 2025. It said overall, Category One crimes declined by 15 per cent, with 322 fewer major crimes reported than last year.

According to the JCF, the reduction in murders formed part of a broader decline in serious crimes, with shootings falling by 27 per cent, robberies by 25 per cent, while both rapes and break-ins declined by 10 per cent over the comparative period. In January this year the country reported its lowest monthly murder figure since national crime data collection began in 2001 with 33 homicides, representing a 55 per cent reduction when compared to January 2025 which recorded 74 murders. “I am aware that in the Firearms Act you have mandatory [minimum] sentences.

It is a matter that is being examined but I can tell you that ,from where I sit, the security forces and a number of my colleagues feel that the Act is working and it is bringing down murders and shootings. It is under consideration, but firearms are a major problem in our country and that is why we don’t want to send a signal that we are going to relent on the enforcement to condemn the possession and the use of firearms. But it is under consideration,” Chuck told members of the judiciary attending the 2026 Assize Church Service at East Queen Street Baptist Church.

revealed in 2024 that there would be a full court sitting soon to hammer out issues with aspects of the new Act which have been proving a pain to lawyers and judges alike The Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, which prescribes a mandatory 15-year sentence for violations, took effect in November 2022 and, among other things, provides penalties ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment for possession of illegal weapons, and establishes a dual regime — distinguishing between prohibited weapons or unregulated firearms and connected activities, and firearms that are duly authorised or…