Surge in Criminals Stealing Legal Weapons Hampers Gun Licensing Process

Licensed firearm holders are becoming targets for criminals seeking to steal their weapons, prompting the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to adopt a more cautious approach to processing applications. Acting Commissioner of Police, Rodney Adams, revealed at a December 22 National Press Conference that two firearm holders had recently fallen victim to such thefts. Despite business ownership being a common reason cited by applicants, Adams emphasized that merely being a business owner was insufficient justification. He emphasized the need for applicants to provide compelling reasons for firearm possession, which undergo thorough examination by a committee before recommendations are made to the Commissioner of Police. Adams asserted his commitment to not granting licenses solely based on business ownership.

The Police Force had temporarily suspended license applications but resumed the process in mid-2022. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Darron Williams, provided updates on applications meeting the stringent criteria outlined by Adams, indicating that the vetting and processing stages were yet to be initiated. Williams also informed the public about an online portal available for those interested in applying for a firearm.

Adams urged residents to familiarize themselves with the legal requirements for firearm possession before submitting applications, reinforcing the importance of providing substantial reasons for such requests.