The Editor, Sir:

That criminal activities in Jamaica could degenerate to the point that a criminal gang could order the forced eviction of law-abiding citizens from their homes and businesses is beyond belief.

What is even more astonishing is the fact that the police, whose duty is to protect the law-abiding citizens of Jamaica, allowed itself to be used as an instrument to ensure the citizens' compliance with the gang's ultimatum. Of such is the story carried in your paper concerning the St Catherine community of Gravel Heights.

Feeling powerless

I imagine that the police, feeling powerless against the terror of gangs, thought that the best the law could have done was to help the threatened residents to exit the community safely, leaving their personal household belongings at the roadside. What a social tragedy.

As a Jamaican residing abroad and having my principal home and investments on the island, I see my hope of resettling in the island vanishing before my very eyes.

Clearly, the people of Jamaica no longer enjoy protection under the law; neither is the Government of Jamaica able to guarantee the citizens of the country basic safety and security.

Given this unfortunate development in criminal courage and government powerlessness, the time has come when Jamaicans must take their personal security into their own hands and arm themselves to fight the criminals.

I agree with that position as proposed by Dr J.V. Ford in his letter to The Gleaner dated December 10. No purpose is being served by government's controlling the law-abiding citizens' access to guns, while the state is unable to control the criminals' easy access to such weaponry for terrorising the society.

Arming taxpayers

However, let me offer a small modification to Dr Ford's arming recommendations. Instead of allowing everybody to carry or own a gun, extend that privilege to persons who pay income tax, property tax or render valuable community services not financed from the proceeds of crime.

The reason is that such persons might be among the most vulnerable to criminal intimidation.

Second, because it is not generally in the cultural temperament of the less-educated Jamaican to control his temper, and the likelihood that some might find violence more attractive than negotiation in disputes, it might be wise not to allow persons to own a weapon such as a gun if there is good reason to doubt his/her social judgement.

Gangs taking over

Dr Ford is correct. If law-abiding Jamaicans are not allowed to bear arms now, then sooner or later, criminal gangs will take over other communities, including cities.

The very existence of Jamaica as a safe state in which to live and do business is now at its greatest risk. Let the Government take note!

I am, etc.,

Rev Dr RONALD E.A. BLAKE

reablake@hotmail.com

Ontario, Canada

Via Go-Jamaica