Trinidad & Tabago, a country of 1.4 million people, had a murder rate of 45.7 per 100,000 people in 2024. Murders have been steadily rising in recent years and reached their highest murder rate ever last year. Gangs are a major factor, with 43.68% of murders related to gang activity.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is encouraging law-abiding citizens to apply for their firearm users’ licences (FULs) and says her government already has begun to work on ‘stand your ground’ and anti-home invasion laws.
While campaigning prior to the general election, the United National Congress (UNC) had indicated that the country’s existing self-defense laws are inadequate.
At yesterday’s post Cabinet news conference, the PM also revealed that the laws governing FULs are being assessed.
She is encouraging citizens to apply.
“We will be reviewing shortly the firearm license laws. Remember we’ve said we will consider giving legal firearms to law-abiding citizens? But they will only be given to persons who want it,” the PM said. . . .
The UNC made legal gun ownership, ‘stand your ground’ and anti-home invasion laws a pillar of its campaign strategy.
“Our proposal means putting into our laws the legal principle that allows a person to use force in self-defence without retreating. Right now, you can only use reasonable force but this principle, also castle doctrine, states individuals have the right to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves against an intruder in their homes. The law will protect homeowners, businesspeople and occupiers when they use force, including deadly force, against any intruder who unlawfully and forcibly enters their residence,” Mrs Persad-Bissessar had said during the campaign. . . .
“PM Kamla: Apply for your FUL,” Guardian Trinidad & Tobago, May 10, 2025.
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