Moultrie calls for greater effort against gun violence

Days after a young man was killed in his constituency, House of Assembly Speaker and Nassau Village MP Halson Moultrie yesterday called for more to be done to combat the issues of gun violence and “gang culture” in The Bahamas.

“We have to do something more to address the gang culture,” he said.

“And I recommend strongly that the police undertake a dragnet operation to rid this seven by 21 [mile] island of all the illegal firearms.

“I believe that can be done. We need to get more serious about dealing with illegal firearms in this country.”

Moultrie also said the education system cannot continue to allow people to exit school without being able to read or write.

“My representation has always been one of trying to encourage education, upliftment, community spirit. We have a theme of love, peace and unity in the community,” he said.

“But the difficulty is that when a certain culture has set in for so long, it doesn’t change overnight.

“And so those persons who are falling through the cracks in our education system, the social promotion system that permits young men in particular to avoid classes, to go through the public school system, in particular, from grade one to grade 12 and exit without being able to read and write, it is difficult for them when it comes to their reasoning power and their analytical ability in conflict resolution matters.

“And so, it’s easy to pick up a gun and to take someone’s life or to cause grievous bodily harm when you cannot rationalize a decision and come back the following day to bring resolution.

“And so, my position will continue to be one of bringing life and bringing life more abundantly and an educational process so that the young men, in particular of Nassau Village, will understand that it is inhumane and ungodly to take the life of another human being, no matter what the circumstances may be.”

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/moultrie-calls-for-greater-effort-against-gun-violence/