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Tonight, there is a moratorium on gun licenses - after a significant change in the firearms control law. For the first time in history, it takes the issuing of licenses out of the sole control and discretion of the commissioner of police and puts it in a board of three persons.
How did we get here? Jules Vasquez recounts the 7News investigation into gun licensing irregularities:
I started hearing suspicious stuff about gun licenses in April when I learned that this alleged double murderer Miguelito Encalada had a license weapon even though recommendations have been made against it
Jules Vasquez
"Are you able to say how long ago Miguelito Encalada had gotten a gun license?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
"He had that license for a couple of months now."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"And like you rightly said, he was rejected a number of times by me. He continued to apply, there was nothing to indicate he was a bad person, you all know the lifestyle he was living, he appeared to be an ordinary, normal law abiding citizen, he was issued one. He commits himself with it, he is dealt with."
Of course that is no consolation for the victim's families the fact is there was a reason he had been rejected but was there also a reason he was eventually approved while probing that I started to hear about the widespread Practice of gun licenses being bought for a few $1000 and it was at this event the commissioner's attempt at transparency that created an investigative opening. He opened up the gun license register and show the press how it looked and explained the thorough vetting and approval process.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Then what what also have done is that we are now requiring for the most art that when you do apply You have to produce proof that You have undergone trailing with a licensed area of instructor In terms of how to use and handle a firm so we have done a lot."
And that's what made this whistle blower laugh because he hadn't gone through any such process he just paid his money and got his license.
Jules Vasquez
"So how much is the total breakdown? What's the price of the gun? What's the price of the connect?"
Voice of Gun license Holder
"Right around, going to almost $3,000 for my personal one and then the connection is another $2,000 - $3,000 also. $1,000 for actually I had 3 connections and it was a $1,000 change for each of them?"
Jules Vasquez
"And then you have to pay $1,000 to 3 different people."
Voice of Gun license Holder
"That was what I was instructed to do."
Jules Vasquez:
"$5,000 is not a little bit of money. Why did you feel you had to go that way where it was wisest to go that way?"
Voice of Gun license Holder
"Well, I was assured that it is easier and that's what everybody who pays the money goes through. You understand?"
Jules Vasquez
"You are told that once you pay the money it's assured you'll get your licence."
Voice of Gun license Holder
"I was definitely assured more than once."
Shocking revelations and initially there was pushback.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"I saw that story on your newscast last night and I think the media has a responsibility as well as that whistle blower to declare to the police who those gun dealers are, because aside from that its just rumors, its just speculation - you're not saying who that individual is which I totally understand - you're protecting that individual, but we need to take it to the next level so that we can end whatever type of facilitation is taking place."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I am extremely meticulous in terms of who I issue licenses to and even though we have background checks that is done by special branch, I also have a mechanism within my office where we also do further checks on these persons who are applying for gun licenses to make sure that we don't give gun licenses to the wrong persons so yes there are persons out there who are trying to create their own mischief and I am not going to follow myself with them, I can proudly say, that as the Commissioner of Police, I have not issued a gun license to anybody who is not deserving."
And then there was Marybeth Wade
Marybeth Wade, Former Gun License Holder
"The thing is - it's if you have the money - once you have the money - it doesn't matter if you have a police record, because I have a record. It costs me like $7,500. That consists of the gun licensed and of the gun. You get it within one day."
Jules Vasquez
"How much thousands did they get and how much did you pay for the gun?"
Marybeth Wade, Former Gun License Holder
"I paid $4,500 and the gun was $3,000."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"So, I personally did not know who Marybeth was and she applied for a firearm license. Her vetting that came before me was squeaky clean."
Marybeth Wade, Former Gun License Holder
"Who in Belize doesn't know who is Marybeth and Chester, of all persons doesn't know my name? And I am apparently a figure of the streets. I am into the hustling business. So how you would not know who is Marybeth Wade? You are trying to play lost? You say you are a lawyer and you are so intelligent, so how you would not know who is Marybeth Wade?"
The commissioner did revoke her license shortly after issues but by this time a pattern to arouse suspicion of a dubious wetting process was becoming clear And by July 6th the government already minded to change the law was forced to act with urgency. And while that law was being drafted that's when businessman Ricardo Bora was killed and none of his many guns could have saved him.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"He did apply for gun licenses and I can tell you, I was the one who approved those licenses."
What he didn't say was that he had approved 9 licenses initial information told us it was 10
This gun- a semi-automatic M4 Carbine rifle owned by Ricardo Borja. It's one of 10 - yes 10 - that he had a license for. They include four rifles: two semi-automatic and two bolt action rifles, and six 9-millimeter pistols. Investigation by 7News shows that these licenses were issued between March of 2021, and July of 2022. 10 guns licensed in 17 months with the approval of the Commissioner of Police.
By the time that information became known the legislation was already in the house and actually got bipartisan support in October
Patrick Faber, UDP Collet
"I think it is no secret that a lot has happened, especially under the present Commissioner. What was it? Almost 10 gun licenses within a couple months period, or 18 months period or so, 17 months."
"And to be honest with you Madam Speaker, the nation has not really received a clear answer as to what has gone on there.
And until an audit is done we won't know but in the interim there is a moratorium
Reporter: "So nobody can get a gun license right now?"
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"No, that is temporary on a moratorium."
We await to hear who will be appointed to the new Firearms and Ammunition Control Board.
