body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
And thankfully, the violence on Carnival Day wasn't gun related. But the media still asked Fonseca for his views on gun reform and whether he believes there needs to be an audit of the Guin license register. While the PM has said he would ban all special permit guns if he could, not everyone in his Cabinet agrees with him, and Minister Fonseca explained why.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"I think the Minister of Home Affairs, the honorable Kareem Musa, has indicated that that's the whole direction he wants to move, we need a more transparent, open, accountable register and as you know, they've changed the gun licensing format, the structure of issuing where before it lied solely with the commissioner of police, now you have a group so I think that's the spirit they're approaching it and I think they will achieve their objective of having a more open, transparent audit if you like, I don't know what you'll call it, of the gun registry."
Reporter:
"What's your opinion on gun ownership? The prime minister already, I think he referenced a rift in Cabinet."
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"I think he reflected the discussion we had. You have many, if you look at parliament, you'll know you have people from rural communities so they, hunting and having guns is a part of their daily life and culture, farmers, so obviously you have to have guns available, but I think the point the prime minister made which I fully endorse and support is that we have too many guns in the country, we have to, in my view, put a moratorium on gun licenses, and then we have to do the audit and the review to determine exactly who these people are that have gun licenses and how many guns they have, it's critically important."
