Opposition Calls for Audit of Belize Police Department’s Gun License Registry, Minister responds

With all the allegations and accusations surrounding gun licenses, the Opposition has called for an audit of the Belize Police Department’s gun license registry, with an aim to ensure all current holders legitimately received their permits. Leader of the Opposition, Moses Shyne Barrow, has made claims that the number of holders has seen an uptick within the last two years. The Commissioner of Police has denied that claim, and moved to take legal action against Barrow. Despite the attempts to discredit the Police Commissioner, Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, says he has full confidence in the Commissioner Williams, and indicated that an audit of the registry will happen as it is a part of his ministry’s plan to reform the department.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries: “We are in the process of introducing firstly to cabinet and then by way of legislation an entire gun reform system. And so that is forthcoming and included in that has to be an audit. In terms of who will do that audit at this point, we don’t know yet but I agree with you that is something that should be done.”

Reporter: Independent outside of the police department though?

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries: “In terms of keeping it classified though because that is very personal information. I have no problem with an outsider from civil society looking at it but there has to be a level of confidentiality because it’s individuals private personal business but  I agree with you having an independent person look at it would be good. As I understand it the Commissioner has already initiated an investigation into that particular file and others because I understand the individual claims that there may be five others so if we can certainly look over those five to see if a similar type fraudulent vetting was done  then the chips have to fall where they may in terms of whichever officer it was that actually produced that fraudulent vetting.”