And yesterday's murder marks the second in less than a week committed with a licensed firearm by a person in an unstable mental state.
We told you that on Saturday, the City Administrator, Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt was murdered by her husband, Oswald "Wally" Garbutt, who then took his own life.
And reports are that the gunman in Belmopan had also struggled with mental health issues.
Following Saturday's murder/suicide, the Mental Health Association issued a release, highlighting that the incident occurred a day after the launch of the National Suicide Prevention Plan. One of the recommendations in the plan speaks to the reduction of access to the means of suicide, and thus MHA has suggested that, with gun licenses under review by the new board, certain legislative changes should be made. That includes a mandatory mental health evaluation for the initial license issuance and subsequent renewals. The release also suggests a "Red Flag Law" to enable magistrates to temporarily remove firearms from licensed holders when there is credible danger of harm to themselves or others.
Today the media asked the ComPol his thoughts on these suggestions.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Certainly, I would agree with that. And I listened to the statement issued by the mental health organization, and I have to agree with them. And I can see that when I was the licensing authority, if it is that we have any complaint of a license holder being involved in any domestic issue or an act of violence what I would normally direct the police at least to go and retrieve the firearm from that license holder, I would keep the weapon and then my office wouldn't write the license holder and ask him or her to give reasons why in light of the allegation his or her license should not be revoked and I can tell you that we revoke many license. And there are some instances where persons were charged with a crime of violence or domestic issues, and then the complainant or the victim would later go and withdrew the matter against them. We would still proceed in writing them letter and ask them to show cause why, in light of the allegation, the license not going to work and we did many revocation on those cases."
Reporter:
"What do you think about the proposal of a red flag law?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"That is certainly good. But again, I wouldn't want to make it a red flag. You do nonsense, it must be taken away."
The National Suicide Prevention Plan urges everyone to take indications of suicidal ideation seriously, and to seek professional help or offer your support to persons struggling.
