Over 270 guns destroyed by police

In a strong message against gun violence, the Barbados Police Service (BPS) destroyed 271 firearms on Saturday.

The exercise, which took place under tight security, involved a range of weapons collected by police over several decades, from 0.22 calibre pistols to 12-gauge shotguns, some dating back to the 1990s.

Some of the guns that were later destroyed.

“These firearms came into the possession of the police as a result of persons being placed before the court and convicted, and as a result of police carrying out searches throughout Barbados,” said police communications and public affairs officer, acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite.

Hydraulic shears were used to destroy the guns.

The weapons were crushed using hydraulic shears at Central Police Station in The City. The process was overseen by Superintendent Stephen Herbert and witnessed by independent observer Gary Alleyne to ensure transparency and accountability.

While the volume of confiscated weapons might suggest progress, Inspector Brathwaite was clear that the BPS remains far from satisfied with the number of illegal weapons on the street.

“One firearm on the street is one firearm too much, and we’re doing the best. We want to rid the streets of firearms. We don’t want firearms on the streets,” he said. “The use of firearms indiscriminately will cost lives, so our aim is to rid the street of all firearms.”

Barbados has recently grappled with a spate of shootings, reigniting public anxiety about crime and access to illegal guns.

Some 49 homicides were recorded last year, while this stands at 21 so far this year. For both periods, the majority of deaths were gun-related.

Though Brathwaite did not directly link the destruction exercise to recent incidents, he acknowledged the strain placed on emergency services but reaffirmed the police’s commitment.

“There’s been a recent [spate], but we will do our best,” he said. “We are here to serve, protect, and reassure, that’s our mandate. Whatever the situation is, we will continue to give our best, give our all to make sure that we can make Barbados a safer and better place.” (SZB)