The successful passage on Monday of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill has now paved the way for analysts working in the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory to handle guns and ammunition without the requirement for a licence.
This category of persons is now a part of the eight that are exempt from having a licence.
The new amendment under the Principal Act at Section 20, after Paragraph Eight, now reads, “An analyst of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory may without a licence, have a firearm or ammunition in their possession during, and for the purpose of executing their duties in the area of ballistics.”
The bill which also received the support of the opposition was passed on Monday afternoon in the National Assembly.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn said that the bill seeks to empower forensic analysts in the successful execution of their duties. He noted that the bill will allow them to perform their duties without facing any discrimination in court when they have to testify.
He told the House that with this amendment, no defence attorney will able to dispute their court testimonies and question whether or not they had the authority to handle any evidential gun or ammunition.
“It is to assure a safe chain of custody in relation to the examining and testing of firearms and ammunition for the work of forensic occupations. We have a forensic laboratory for some time now and we need to ensure that each person is allowed to handle, examine and test firearms and ammunition, as part of an investigation to make sure that there are no gaps… no opportunity for surprises when it comes to examinations in courts,” Benn explained to the House.
APNU+AFC frontbencher Khemraj Ramjattan said he was grateful that both sides of the House were able to put aside their differences and give support to the bill.
He stated that while in government they had started discussions on the amendment after meeting with analysts from the laboratory.
Even though in support of the amendment, APNU+AFC MP Geeta Chandan-Edmond recommended that the analysts receive the necessary training.
“It is hoped that they are exposed to training in basic firearm identification, (the) advanced firearm identification course, the internship firearm identification course and the certificate of instruction of firearm identification course… that they receive scholarships and are given the opportunity to be exposed to the highest global standards,” she said.
PPP/C MP Sanjeev Datadin told the National Assembly the bill seeks to allow analysts to better execute their duties. “They are of course only allowed to handle a firearm in the conduct of their duties. So, it’s not to be taken home, it’s not to go around with…”, he clarified.
