Royal TCI Police unofficially puts freeze on gun permits, Residents have mixed feelings 

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, November 11, 2023 – Some residents in the Turks and Caicos say they are frustrated with the process for applying for firearms licenses and believe not enough permits are being granted. Residents were speaking to our news team following the reported arrest of a young professional for illegal possession of a firearm.

An air of distress surrounded the news, with many questioning the young man’s decision to acquire a firearm in the first place.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force had not been granting gun licences for some time, a fact acknowledged by Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner of Police in March 2022 at the launch of a gun amnesty. At the time, Adams had assured residents that the process would resume and soon.

One year and eight months later, there has been no change.

Following the young man’s arrest, one group of residents warned that arming everyone was not the answer. Others expressed understanding, highlighting increasing fear over the constant robberies, break-ins, and other violent incidents, usually committed by armed men. They say this may have pushed some people to acquire weapons without the legal authorization.

Many community advocates have expressed concern about the increasing number of  vicious shootings in the Turks and Caicos. In 2022 Robert Been, PDM Deputy Leader said in an emotional letter, “ I feel a duty to the people of this country to speak up on the continuous shootings and other crimes that have been happening in our country— the reality is this, the gang wars won’t end until you guys decide to stop the shootings.”

Magnetic Media contacted the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to find out if residents were actually applying for licenses and being turned down.

We also queried how many applications for licences had been turned in over the last two years and how many of that number had been approved. Additionally, we asked a pointed question in an attempt to learn if there has been any increase in applications over the last two years.

The Police have promised a response on the matter.