Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday the government may expand access to non-lethal self-defense tools to meet rising demand for personal protection, while keeping firearm licenses tightly restricted amid security and corruption concerns.
Jagdeo told reporters at a press conference that there are between 30,000 and 50,000 pending gun license applications, many from people who have been waiting years. Approving them all, he warned, would risk flooding the country with weapons that often end up in criminal hands after being stolen from homes.
“Just imagine if you have to give out 50,000 gun licenses in Guyana what could happen,” Jagdeo said. “Often the weapons end up in the hands of criminals.”
He said the government wants to be “very liberal” in approving non-lethal devices, but “very sparing with the gun licenses.” The administration also intends to overhaul the system to make it more transparent and reduce opportunities for bribery or influence.
Complaints about licensing delays and alleged favoritism are common in community meetings, Jagdeo said, noting that demands for upgrades or approvals often dominate public interactions with officials.
