A businessman from east Trinidad has been given permission to sue the Office of the Police Commissioner over the failure to return his firearm user’s license (FUL) since 2021.
Earlier this week, High Court Judge Ricky Rahim granted leave for Dirk Barnes to pursue his judicial review lawsuit over the delay.
According to his court filings, obtained by Guardian Media, Barnes, who is the chief executive officer of firearm dealership 868 Tactical Firearms and Accessories and security company Air Support Tactical Limited, was granted a FUL in August 2015.
Prior to starting the companies, Barnes served as a commissioned officer in the T&T Defence Force (TTDF) and obtained the rank of Major. He served as the commanding officer of the Engineer Battalion and was trained in combat engineering, explosives, and demolition.
In August 2020, Barnes submitted his FUL to the commissioner’s office as his security company made an application for a firearm disposal permit (FDP) in order to sell two licensed shotguns.
Almost exactly a year later, Barnes submitted an application to vary his FUL in relation to five firearms. Having not received a response to the applications, Barnes sought to withdraw them in August, last year.
Barnes claimed that while at the T&T Police Service (TTPS) Firearm Department office, he was told that his FUL could not be located and was advised to apply for a duplicate.
Several months later, Barnes contacted the department via telephone to enquire about the duplicate. He claimed that he was told by an officer that the company’s FDP application from 2020 was not granted because it (the application) was being investigated as it was not signed by the Police Commissioner.
The officer also reportedly claimed that Barnes’ FUL was being withheld as a result of the investigation. Through the lawsuit, Barnes is seeking a declaration that the decision to withhold his FUL was illegal, irrational, and unreasonable.
The case is scheduled to come up for case management on May 23. Barnes was represented by Matthew Gayle and Vidal Pooran.