At the official launch of the long-awaited Missing Person Alert System this Monday, Dominica’s National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore made a key disclosure regarding the country’s ongoing campaign against unregulated weapons: 21 illegal firearms have been seized across the island so far in 2026. The haul includes a range of dangerous weaponry, among them four rifles, two shotguns, and 15 pistols — many of which carry elevated risk. Blackmoore explained that a number of the seized pistols are convertible, meaning they can be reconfigured to function as rifles, and all are semi-automatic, characteristics that he classed as exceptionally dangerous.
In a recent bust alone, law enforcement recovered six illegal weapons, one of which was a 7.62mm battlefield-grade rifle. Blackmoore emphasized that such military-grade weaponry has no place in Dominica, a small island nation that prides itself on its peaceful social order. “This rifle is meant for the battlefield, and Dominica is not a place for that. Now there is no battlefield in Dominica. This is a beautiful, peaceful country,” he said, noting that the upcoming Creole Festival and national independence celebrations require a stable, secure environment to welcome visitors and community members alike.
Blackmoore extended public commendation to frontline law enforcement and customs officials for their consistent vigilance in intercepting illicit weapons entering the country. He credited the government’s recent investment in high-powered scanning equipment at all major ports of entry with making a tangible difference in interception efforts. “Those interventions are helping,” he said, adding that past measures including gun amnesties and cash rewards for tip-offs leading to weapons recoveries have also formed a core part of the government’s strategy to take illegal firearms off the street.
While acknowledging the constitutional separation of powers and confirming that the executive branch does not interfere with judicial rulings or direction of the courts, Blackmoore stressed that every pillar of the justice system carries a shared responsibility to protect public safety. The minister closed by reaffirming the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting police and customs operations, and urged all Dominican residents to pursue peaceful resolutions to personal and community disputes, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to preserving its legacy of peace.