Fifty-six firearms which were privately owned or assigned to the public security sectors were reported lost, stolen or missing in the last five years.
From 2018 to 2023, the losses included 14 firearms assigned to officers in T&T’s national security sectors and 42 privately-owned legal firearms.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the information on privately-owned firearms suggests there ought to be a significant improvement in the activity of firearm holders to ensure guns aren’t lost, stolen or go missing.
The minister gave the figures in the Senate yesterday as he responded to questions on the issue by Independent Senator Dr Paul Richards.
Hinds said according to information provided by the Commissioner of Police, 42 privately-owned legal firearms were reported lost, stolen or missing during the period 2018-2023.
He provided a breakdown of the figures for guns lost, missing or stolen.
To this total of 41, Hinds said, information remains outstanding from the Tunapuna Police Station regarding one firearm reported lost.
On whether oversight of regulations/laws on these privately-owned legal firearms was satisfactory in the interest of public safety, Hinds said: “When you have a firearm and in this case, and in respect of this answer, 42 being lost, stolen or missing, it suggests there ought to be significant improvement in the activity of the holders to ensure this doesn’t arise.”
Hinds said he was confident the Commissioner of Police had the necessary resources to investigate these lost firearms to ensure they did not end up in the hands of criminals.
The National Security Minister also gave details about the 14 firearms reported lost, stolen or missing by members of the protective services including the police, defence force and prison service.
2018 - Three
2019 - Seven
2020 - Five
2021 - Six
2022 - Eleven
2023 - Nine
2018 – TTPS 0, TTDF 1, TTPRS 0
2019 – TTPS 0, TTDF 2, TTPRS 0
2020 – TTPS 0, TTDF 1, TTPRS 0
2021 – TTPS 1, TTDF 1, TTPRS 0
2022 – TTPS 1, TTDF 1, TTPRS 0
2023 – TTPS 2, TTDF 2, TTPRS 2