September 23, 2026

Lawyers stage protest at Supreme Court over Firearms Act

A number of attorneys silently raised placards in front of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston this morning in protest against the Firearms Act.

Members of the legal fraternity have raised concerns over the Act, particularly its mandatory sentencing provisions, and the restrictions placed on judicial discretion.

Today, they doubled down on their call for urgent reform, noting that while the fraternity is not against strong penalties, it is concerned with a sentencing regime that does not adequately allow judges to distinguish between offenders, offences and individual circumstances.

Among the protestors was President of the Jamaican Bar Association, Tenneshia Watkins.

Addressing reporters, Watkins said the protest comes after it had made attempts to engage with the authorities.

She said the fraternity is sending the message that lawyers know their rights.

In the meantime, President of the Cornwall Bar Association in St. James, Dionne Meyler told IRIE FM News that while members are not officially a part of the protest, they agree that the Firearms Act needs to be amended.

She also raised concerns over the treatment of legal and illegal firearm holders.