- Details
- Rawlston Pompey
- Monday, 12 November 2012 02:30
- By Rawlston Pompey
When culture minister ELESTON 'Namba' ADAMS publicly expressed his advocacy for "responsible, law abiding, high-risk and/or vulnerable residents within the English Harbour/Piccadilly Communities to be armed with firearms for "...Self-defense, preservation and/or protection," many may have thought that he may have been under the influence of "...something bushy."
From a law enforcement perspective, he may have been "...reasonably suspected" to have consumed the "...vegetable substance" that Rastafarian Elder King Frank I had persistently suggested should be "...decriminalized." King Frank I's advocacy appeared to have been consistent with verbal assurances reportedly given to "...unemployed and frustrated youth" within suburban and rural communities prior to, and leading up to the March 2004 national elections.
REPELLING ROBBERY/GUN ATTACKS
What may have been reasonably discerned from both advocates was that the culture minister wanted residents armed in "...REPELLING ROBBERY AND GUN ATTACKS;" while King Frank I wanted his "...Dread-locks Brethren" to have unfettered access to the particular "...bushy substance," with legally protected freedom to consume" as "...Holy Sacrament" through his "...Majestic Chalice." Observers have posited that King Frank I may quicker see Member of Parliament Chanlah Codrington "...demolishing obstacles to public beaches," than seeking parliamentary approval of a substance to be part of the "...ritualistic Sacrament" used by his group, dependent upon the mood -- either to becoming "...IRIE" or giving "...Thanks and Praise to JAH."
INALIENABLE RIGHTS
Research show that after the "...July 1776 American Revolution," many Court challenges and Judicial Decisions, "...the historical legacy and constitutionality" had preserved the "...Right of US Citizens to Bear Arms" [2nd Amendment]. They have not only considered the right to bear arms as a "...Civil Liberty," but have also contended that "...Rights do not come from Government; ...for Government only gives privilege; ...and that the Constitution only protects rights." The pro-gun advocates such as actor/activist Charlton Heston and the National Rifle Association, with a membership of 4.3 million members, were all adamant, when challenged, to have vociferously argued that "...All rights come from GOD and are Inalienable."
RELIGIOUS SACRAMENT
Applying such arguments to their respective advocacy, for "...citizens to be armed and decriminalization" of the "...Use" of the vegetable substance known as Cannabis as a "...Religious Sacrament," both advocates, culture minister Eleston Adams and 'King Frank I,' with some "...justification, logicality and principle," may claim a "...Right" likened to that ascribed to Americans and the Constitutionality of an entrenched protection of the "...Right to bear arms" for their protection.
SMOKING GUNS
Throughout the chapters of time, man's predicament was said to be of his own making. This was due to his unpredictable nature, selfishness and "...proclivity for violence." Experience has taught that criminals had "...randomly and/or selectively" inflicted serious or "...deadly violence" on innocent victims; …terrorizing communities; …driving immense fear in members of society, while seemingly keeping Law enforcement either busy or at bay. These were irrefutable evidence that man's intention was to be "...clearly understood" by his "...SMOKING GUNS." Such evidence was to be seen from the recent brutal killings by "...Gun-toting bandits" of a "…Service station attendant Dorothy Prince, 39 mother of two children and a single parent/student, 19 year-old "…Melissa Lewis in the quietude of her John Hughes residence.
DEFENSIVE POSITION
Therefore, minister Adams advocacy for residents to be in a "...DEFENSIVE POSITION" may now be viewed against the backdrop of recent chronicled developments that had sent shock waves across the 108-square mile island. Firstly, there was the "...gruesome discovery of two bullet-riddled, blood-drenched bodies" of Dominican nationals Alex Riviere and Alwin Robin in a home at the now infamous "...Deadly Tristan Alley" at Cedar Valley [Oct.5, 2012]. Then mere days later, there was the senseless slaying of 54 year-old "...Shenfield 'Zyer' George," reportedly struggling to complete a dwelling house for his family at Bolans [Oct.28, 2012; ...14 year-old "...Kenyetta Ryan" of Grays Farm, reportedly shot in the abdomen in "...mysterious circumstances" [Nov. 6, 2012] was said to be struggling for life; ...while two other males;-terminally ill, 50 year-old Dale Mulraine and 21 year-old Philmore George who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries, to their bodies. Both were nursing gunshot wounds to their buttocks and leg respectively at the Mount St. John Medical Center (MSJMC) [Nov.7, 2012]. Then as recently as Saturday November 10th, just before midnight, a 37 year-old businesswoman Joycelyn Bruno and her 5 year old daughter narrowly escaped gunshot injuries when 2 masked gunmen allegedly opened fire on her vehicle as she arrived at her Golden Grove residence.
IMPLICATIONS/CONSEQUENCES
There had been many other victims of gun violence, including Taxi Driver MILBURN LEWIS [Sept. 2012]. These tragic shooting incidents must now vindicate Member of Parliament MOLWYN JOSEPH who had expressed adamancy, that if the "...spiraling crime wave and/or under reporting" were not addressed, there was the likelihood of "...implications for the nation and serious consequences to innocent citizens." However, most notably was British honeymooning couple-31 year-olds Ben and Catherine Mullaney who were fatally wounded [Wikipedia: 2008].Then there was the painful experience of an elderly resident, reportedly "...brutally pistol-whipped at his residence" in a similar robbery attack. These incidents, therefore, speak not only to frequency of occurrences, but also the dire need for preventive and/or control mechanisms.
MINISTER ADAMS' RATIONALE
Thus, the culture minister seemingly moved by compassion and concern, "...may have understood the plight of residents; ...their uneasiness and uncertainties over their safety and protection. He felt and shared their grief, pains and anxieties. He may also have been moved by what had reportedly transpired in biblical times when people armed themselves in protecting their cities. He may also have been convinced that others were insensitive to the concerns of "...unarmed and defenceless citizens." Thus, such may have been his "...RATIONALE" for advocating that residents be "...lawfully armed" in defence of themselves, family, property and their communities.
RAMPAGING GUN-TOTING BANDITS
While critics may have concluded that the culture minister should have been institutionalized at the ClareVue Psychiatric Hospital for "...evaluation of his mental faculties," there was evidence that residents of those communities and the rest of the society had been feeling the deadly effects of a handful of "...misguided, restless and blood-thirsty youth," They had shifted rapidly toward a "...CULTURE OF VIOLENCE," never before experienced within the nation. There was little doubt, that such violence had plagued innocent citizens from the "...City of St. John to Suburban communities," terrifying everyone as they have unleashed without mercy some of the most deadly violence ever to be perpetrated upon "...unarmed citizens." Consequently, it was for these reasons, compounded by apparent "...professional impotency" in Law enforcement, that the culture minister had advocated armed protection for residents, in countering the sustained brutal robbery attacks by "...rampaging gun-toting bandits."
UNCHECKED SPATE OF CRIMES
There was no doubt that citizens had become apprehensive and jittery, while culture minister Eleston Adams seemed driven to his wits end over the "...UNCHECKED SPATE OF CRIMES," particularly robberies with violence. He was concerned that an uncontrollable "...Gun Culture" had the potential for pervading a society that had showed signs of further degeneration into sordid decadence. This had left many victims "...permanently scarred;" ...scarred and ...traumatized. Hence, as the parliamentary representative for those communities, he was aware of the demise of the Skipper of a visiting yacht, who was cold-bloodedly gunned-down and killed instantaneously in the "...presence of a wife and child," in a "...vicious robbery attack." He had showed a determination in bringing respite to residents, but had not the wherewithal or the legislative mandate in providing armed security for their safety and protection.
SELF-PROTECTION
The Scriptures may have taught some vital lessons for "...Self-protection and Self-preservation." None more applicable than these; "...When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe; ...But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him; ...Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons the strong man trusted and will divide the loot" [Luke:[11: 21 &22]. Thus, in early biblical times, it was incumbent on every man to protect "...himself and his property." Hence, it was not happenstance that humans found it necessary to "...BEAR ARMS" for "...self-protection; ...his family; ...property; ...others and cities."
INFLUENCED BY THE SCRIPTURES
Research showed that humans have protected themselves with the aid of various forms of weaponry and culture minister ELESTON ADAMS may support his advocacy with biblical accounts of what obtained then, and may have been so influenced. For instance the Scriptures relate to Samson's, "...heroic war-like exploits," effectively using the "...Jawbone of an Ass," viewed then as an effective weapon of war, "...flattening one thousand Philistines" [Judges: 15: 16]. The Scriptures also revealed that like a "...laser-guided missile," David brought down a towering blasphemous Philistine Giant with a single "...Sling Shot" [1Samuel"17:1-58]. Further revelations in the Scriptures indicate the "...subtle violence" used by Delilah in weakening Samson when he was deceived into revealing the source of his strength. She had shaved the hair off his head."This was followed by the painful "...gouging of his eyes" by the Philistines and subsequently his regained strength, enabling the demolishment of the Temple, killing more people than he ever did at full strength [Judges 16]. That was then, today, it was to be seen as a "...different generation; ...mentality; ...environment: ...different rules of play and the "...deadly use of guns."
DECREE TO BEAR ARMS
Man's association with more sophisticated weapons was said to have been as early as the year 872 when "...ALEXANDER THE GREAT," ancient King of Macedon, decreed that "....Every man attaining the age of 15 years were to bear arms in joining the Militia." Research Online show that in "...Colonial America" under the British, the "...State of Virginia imposed a 6- Shilling fine upon every citizen who was not armed." In 1658, the Law required "...every householder to have a functioning firearm within his house." In pre-historic times, and particularly in the "...Stone Age," ended somewhere between "4500BC-2000BC," humans had used "...stone tools," including wood, bones, shells, spears, bows and arrows," before metal tools in the "...Bronze Age" when they used Iron. Even today, man's creativity, particularly, those in the penitentiary have improvised with "...toothbrush handles"-sharpened to inflict injuries to fellow-inmates and prison guards across the globe.
FIRST DOCUMENTED MURDER
Biblical teachings suggested how violence may have been easily manifested within the family. The Scriptures revealed that a "...Vicious Murder" was committed by a man identified as "...CAIN." It speaks to what had been described as a murderous act "...Inflamed with jealousy and hate," at which time his beloved brother "...ABEL" was fatally knocked out beyond a referee's count in a boxing bout [Genesis 4:1.8]. Thus, where contentiousness; ...jealousy; ...hatred; ...victimization; frustration; ...provocation and now "...GREED" were evident, there was always the possibility of Violence. This was said to be all part of "...human psyche." The critical questions were: "...Will Gun Violence be stopped;" If so, what might be the determining factor/s?" It was to be seen that such may not be achieved by vaguely repetitive rhetoric of "...zero tolerance," but through proactive and decisive action by responsible agencies.
GUN CRIMES
The crime situation had prompted the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office to note in its "...Current Safety Alert" [Nov.3, 2012], that 8 visitors had succumbed to "...GUN CRIMES," that were on the rise since July 2008. The focus of distraught citizens appeared to have been greater attention to be paid to, inter alia "...available resources; "...administrative competency; ...operational effectiveness; ...strategies and contingencies; ...methodologies; ...technologies; ...greater use of Scientific aids; ...investigative techniques; ...organizational discipline, and more critically, enhanced intelligence gathering," Lest "...Smoke" gets in their eyes," Law enforcement shall always be proactive, creative and on the alert for behavioral and crime trends, sophistication, complexities and visibility at crime hotspots.
PRIME MINISTER SPENCER'S CONCERNS
Clearly perturbed over the frequency of "...GUN CRIMES" and "...growing concerns" among law abiding citizens, these had prompted Prime Minister BALDWIN SPENCER to raise the vexed issue at the United Nations [67-UNGA: Sept.27, 2012]. He too had seen a "...Cultural Shift" toward "...Gun Violence," evidenced by its frequent occurrences and deadly results. The "...Tristan Alley Murders," not only speak to such dramatic shift, but also to the citizen's concerns for their personal "...safety and protection." As it affects the avoidance of violence, it was about the survival of those who may not "...tread where angels dread."
RESPITE TO CITIZENS
Invariably, official tendency had been to focus on "...Effects," ...legislative stringency and stiffer penalties," as opposed to looking at "...Causation, Prevention and Detection." Logic dictates that such focus may have no "...Decisive Effect," if perpetrators were not made to have compulsory visitations to the Halls of Justice. PRIME MINISTER SPENCER appeared acutely aware of the "...Deadly Impact" the frequent use of Guns had on the quality of life of the nation, as well as implications for the nation's "...economic health; ...stability and Security." Thus, he had implored "...manufacturing and/or source countries" to enforce stricter "...Gun Controls," since the nation of Antigua & Barbuda was feeling its adverse destructive effects on citizens. Such was admirable. However, despondent citizens felt that more may be done internally to "...bring respite to the hapless citizens." Statistically, in 2012, there have been 7 tragic killings involving the use of Guns, and against defenceless victims.
GRAVE CONCERNS
The Firearms Act, Chapter 171, Section 6, allows for a "...PRIVILEGED FEW" to be issued with a "...Firearm's User's Licence" for self-protection, property and family. However, applicants have complained of the "...cumbersome bureaucratic processes," and apparent"...Selective use of official discretion." These were reported to have been of "...GRAVE CONCERNS" to many law abiding citizens, particularly having complied with the provisions of the Law; "...advancing pre-paid application fees," only to be "...Refused years later;" or upon delayed responses, the status of the Applications was not provided upon inquiries. Many bona fide applicants had expressed disappointment over the situation, making them exposed and vulnerable to the "...Gun-toting brazen bandits," who had been striking at will with "...illegal firearms." Evidence of which may have been seen from the "...unprovoked gun attack on two residents of "...BOOBY ALLEY" in the Point Area.
GUN PSALMS
Many applicants for the issuance of "...Firearms Licence," felt that the criminals had been roaming freely with illegal weapons, using them indiscriminately, "...injuring, maiming and killing defenceless citizens." Ironically, the law abiding citizens have complained of being discriminated against and unfairly treated. Many had claimed to have been"...Suspected" to be the ones keeping Law enforcement on the run from "...the hill top of John Hughes; ...to Green Bay Hill at Grays Farm; ...to the dangerous Booby Alley at Point; ...to the Valley at Bolans; ...to the Deadly TRISTAN ALLEY at Cedar Valley." These areas appeared to have become the "...valleys and alleys of pain/death." Hence, those who ventured, or not too far out, may become victims of "...injuries and/or may be added to the seemingly growing number of fatalities from "...GUN CRIMES." Today, no longer can anyone say "...Though I walk through these valleys and alleys of gun violence, I shall fear no evil." Most have revised the Psalms to read "...Though the Lord is my Shepherd, with "...gunmen running helter-skelter," without a gun, I feel vulnerable."
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT
Thus, given the biblical accounts of some conflicts, it was to be anticipated that "...Modern Man" was more likely to use violence against his fellow men. This may have been seen when robberies were perpetrated against unsuspecting, unarmed and hapless citizens. There was no question as to human "...love of guns." Modern civilization and technological advancement have allowed for the development of, and more efficient and effective use of various weapons- namely "...GUNS" of all caliber. The deadly weapon was defined as "...A weapon that launches one or more projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant" [Wikipedia].
WEAPON OF CHOICE
Thus, Guns have become the "...weapon of choice," not only for "...boys, youth and adult males," but also adult females. This appeared particularly so for those with an inclination toward criminal acts or those driven to violence through "...greed, anger and/or passion." In substantiating this assertion of women's fascination by guns, prison records may show that among the "...8 females institutionalized at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP), there was one female who had been found guilty of a most "...vicious gun crime." Even though she may have discarded her "...Bobby Socks" for "...Stocking," Jay Marie Chin had shown that she neither wanted toys of "...Dolls" nor "Teddy Bears." She appeared to have developed more than "...fascination" for guns, and may have been driven by passion into developing a "...Killer instinct."
STARBLACK QUICKNESS
Jay Marie Chin's brutal killing of her ex-husband, appeared not to have been that of "...Fascination." The murder convict, reportedly migrated to the United States in 1986 at age 9, seemed adept at using a firearm with deadly consequences. Seemingly, after the "...novelty of romance had worn," the deceased appeared to have been "...flirting with danger" in a calamitous love affair." While it was subsequently argued that it had been a "...Crime of Passion," it was in fact the "...Crime of Murder." Thus, with "...STARBLACK QUICKNESS," she had reportedly drew a weapon, discharging in rapid succession "...13 bullets with a high caliber .40 Smith & Wesson handgun" into her ex-husband's body. It was unlikely that a robber would have discharged that many rounds and left the deceased without rummaging his pockets and relieving him of money and jewellery.
DECEPTION AND BETRAYAL
The convicted murderer Jay Marie Chin had apparently come from an environment where "...Gun violence was rampant," that seemed to have had an influence on her mental capacity to the extent of displaying "...Mental toughness." Defence Attorneys sought unsuccessfully in advancing arguments of a "...Love Triangle," rife with "...DECEPTION AND BETRAYAL." The Jury appeared to have been unmoved by such arguments, and instead convicted her of the more serious crime of murder. Law enforcement confirmed an unusual display of calmness of composure during the investigative process and at trial.
CONCLUSION
When "...murder convict" JAY MARIE CHIN, then 34 years, allegedly put her ex-husband RAYMOND CHIN, 50 years old, to sleep on November 28, 2009, the Pathologist report revealed that she had peppered his body with multiple bullets from "...chest to abdomen." When the Prosecution reportedly sought to adduce evidence of a threat, that "...If I can't have you, NO ONE ELSE WILL," the Court reportedly rejected such evidence. Such objection was sustained on the grounds that its "...prejudicial effect" had outweighed the "...probative value." Besides it fell outside the "...exclusionary rule" of Hearsay evidence." Further her ex-husband Raymond Chin could not attest to such threat being made to him. This was one of those cases where the deceased was beyond reach. Thus, "...Dead men tell no tales." True to form, neither Jay Marie Chin, nor any other female may now have relations with her deceased ex-husband. Such had been the "...DEADLY USE OF GUNS" and an apparent "...CULTURAL SHIFT" toward "...GUN VIOLENCE."
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