In a heated session of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Attorney General John Jeremie, SC, made a startling accusation against the Opposition while presenting the Home Invasion (Self Defence and Defence of Property) Bill 2025. Jeremie claimed that ‘practically all’ Opposition MPs possess multiple firearms, some owning up to four or five, yet oppose the bill that would make it easier for law-abiding citizens to access legal firearms for self-defence. He labelled this stance as hypocrisy, arguing that the Opposition denies ordinary citizens the right to protect themselves while securing firearms for their own use. The bill, which aims to address rising crime rates, including home invasions and murders, has sparked intense debate. Jeremie cited alarming statistics, noting that annual homicides increased from 420 in 2015 to 624 in 2024, while serious reported crimes rose from 825 to nearly 1,000 per 100,000 people. The proposed legislation, inspired by self-defence laws in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, seeks to empower citizens to use deadly force if necessary during home invasions. However, Opposition figures, including former police commissioner Gary Griffith and Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland, SC, have criticized the bill as draconian and socially reckless. Griffith accused the Opposition of hypocrisy, recalling instances where PNM members sought firearms for personal use. Scotland, meanwhile, argued that the bill could endanger homeowners by exposing them to murder charges and lengthy remand periods. He urged the government to focus on law enforcement and social investments rather than introducing new legislation.
AG hits Opposition hypocrisy on Stand Your Ground– Gun-toting PNM MPs
