Letter of the Day | Evaluate the tempers

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Having learnt this past weekend of a shooting incident that occurred between two licensed firearm holders (a selector and a resident) which left one dead in Trelawny, one has to question the mindset and temperament of the persons that are in fact issued a firearm user's licencee from the Firearm Licensing Authority.

It could have been a shove, it could have been an inaccurate calculation of balance which caused the lady to shift backwards, or as they say 'chucked', I wasn't there. But in any event, should this situation have escalated to the level it did? Are we no longer apologetic? Have we lost our sense of calm? Do we no longer know how to 'quash' things? Or because people are now 'armed' it is the right to act in a manner such as this?

Make no mistake, because teachers are teachers, don't mean some are not pedophiles. Not because they're police and politicians means some are not corrupt; not because they are lawyers means some aren't thieves and not because some are pastors means they aren't wife beaters etc., and then there are people who should not be licensed firearm holders.

I welcome the new aspect of the new Firearm Licensing Authority chief executive officer to introduce a 'Mental Health Assessment' to the Firearm User's Licence application process. Because, not everyone with businesses, links, money or status should be granted a firearm user's licence. One's state of mind, maturity and level of judgement and understanding should be in tact.

This is Jamaica. Not the United States where guns should be free for all; we know our people, we know our temperament and, as old people would say, "a nuh everyting weh good fi goose good fi ganda".

Put a lid on it!

Kadian Brown