In a substantive address to the House of Representatives on Monday, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has drawn urgent attention to the hidden networks behind the country’s illegal firearms trade, alleging that actors with established business interests may be key players in smuggling weapons and ammunition into the twin-island nation. His remarks came during floor debate on the landmark Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2026, which has since been approved by legislators to ramp up penalties for illegal gun-related offenses.