Rights Groups JFJ and FWCF Welcome NSC Proposed Firearms Act Amendments

October 26, 2026

Written byIRIEFM NEWS

Written by: Clement Reid and Marlene Freeman

Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has welcomed the recommendations of the National Security Council in relation to amendments to the Firearms Act.

The Office of the Prime Minister revealed yesterday that several recommendations were agreed on at a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

It was recommended that persons convicted of illegal possession of a firearm should receive a new minimum sentence of 20 years in prison up from 15 years.

Adults who groom children to use, store, transport or acquire illegal guns should also face a new criminal offence under proposed amendments to the Firearms Act.

The NSC also agreed that further consideration should be given to how cases involving children found with illegal firearms are handled.

The Ministry of National Security and Peace has been directed to have the draft legislation ready by the end of November 2026 for wider consultations.

In a release to the media yesterday, Ms. Jackson said the JFJ strongly supports the prosecution of adults who use children to commit crimes.

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She also called for the NSC and the Government to outline how children are to be dealt with if they are being exploited by adults.

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And the Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) is also welcoming the NSC’s recognition that further consideration must be given to cases involving children found in possession of illegal firearms.

The FWCF says any amendment to the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act must distinguish between children exploited by criminal networks and adults who deliberately recruit, coerce or manipulate them into gun-related activities.

The foundation emphasizes that children found with illegal firearms should not automatically be treated as willing participants in organised criminal activity.

Youth Policy Committee Member of the FWCF, Zowayne Williams further states that children exploited by criminals must be protected.

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The foundation says it supports the proposed creation of a specific offence targeting adults who groom or recruit children into firearms-related criminal activity.

However, it says such provisions must be accompanied by effective investigation, child-sensitive interviewing, appropriate safeguarding measures and access to diversion and rehabilitation where warranted.

The foundation is also urging the Government to ensure that the legislation clearly distinguishes ordinary toy guns from realistic imitation firearms and actual weapons.

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