Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen has called for a strategic focus on tracing the origins of illegal firearms entering Antigua and Barbuda, emphasizing the need for advanced container scanning technologies at the border. Speaking at a United Progressive Party town hall, Bowen criticized reactive measures to violent incidents, advocating instead for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to crime prevention. He highlighted the alarming rise in gun-related crimes as a critical national issue, urging authorities to identify and disrupt the channels through which firearms are smuggled into the country. Bowen speculated that weapons might be entering via sea routes or concealed in shipping containers, stressing that enhancing container inspections and investing in detection technologies should be top priorities. He also underscored the importance of a long-term strategy involving collaboration between law enforcement, educators, social workers, and communities to achieve sustainable crime reduction. Bowen concluded that since Antigua and Barbuda does not manufacture firearms, addressing the external sources of these weapons is essential to curbing the escalating violence.
Sherfield Bowen wants authorities to prioritize how illegal guns are entering the country
