One firearm and a “significant” amount of ammunition has been handed over to the police as Cayman’s gun amnesty period crossed its midpoint this week.
The RCIPS provided a brief update on the initiative on Tuesday afternoon.
Police confirmed an illegal weapon was turned in, but did not state what type of gun it had received nor did it release the total amount of ammunition surrendered.
The Cayman Compass has requested these details and is awaiting a response.
The amnesty was introduced on 1 July.
Superintendent Brad Ebanks, who is leading the campaign, said in a previous statement announcing the amnesty that officers hope the effort will prove effective in protecting the public from the presence of illegal guns.
“We are giving these people an opportunity to reject a lifestyle that can end in only one of two ways: death or prison,” he said then.
Illegal firearms on the rise
The amnesty was in response to an increase in violent crimes involving illegal guns, such as the 25 Feb. shooting in which seven people were injured when an unknown man opened fire on a group of supporters watching a football game at the Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm and suspicion of attempted murder in relation to that shooting. They were later bailed, and charges are yet to be laid in that case.
The last amnesty campaign was held in 2018.
At the end of that effort, about 900 rounds of ammunition and 18 firearms – 11 long guns and seven handguns – were collected, as well as a crossbow and flare gun.
By law, the only people who may have a gun in Cayman are residents with express consent from the commissioner of police in Grand Cayman, or the district commissioner in the Sister Islands.
Avenues available
The RCIPS is encouraging the community take advantage of the gun amnesty by turning in all illegal guns, gun components and ammunition during July “without fear of prosecution, no questions asked”.
Four options have been provided to the public to surrender guns, ammunition and any other weapons – drop-off, pick-up, or via a trusted party or Cayman Crime Stoppers.
Further information on how to hand in firearms can be found on the RCIPS website.
Those wishing to surrender weapons can also call 936-8026 to make arrangements.
The listed third parties below are working with the RCIPS to collect illegal guns through the amnesty campaign:
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Once this amnesty is over those caught with guns should be given extra long sensitives