Her plea follows reports of the accidental shooting death of a five-year-old boy in Clarendon yesterday.

Up to press time, investigators were trying to determine whether the child shot himself or was shot by his three-year-old cousin.

The weapon belonged to the children's aunt, a police constable assigned to the Clarendon Special Squad. The weapon used was a Glock pistol which, according to police sources, requires at least 10 pounds of force to fire one bullet.

"I am making a call for every Jamaican who owns a firearm to ensure that it is kept out of the reach of children," Clarke told The Gleaner last evening.