And, back now to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams. He's appeared on other media to defend the 9 or 10 gun licenses he gave to murder victim Ricardo Borja in 17 months. He told other media that this was done under the strict understanding that Borja would have no more than two active licensed weapons at all times - so as soon as he got a new gun - he had to sell the old one.
Sounds like the Commissioner was overseeing a virtual gun marketplace to us - and that freewheeling type of operation seems to stand in stark contrast to the type of austere gun regime the Prime Minister endorses. In September the PM told us, quote, "I do not support guns in this country. I do not own a gun. And if it was left to me and I got into trouble with some members from cabinet, I would ban all gun holding guns in this country."
But the compol recently said he sees it as a service he offers to the public and that he must do so efficiently. He even invited those seeking gun licenses to go directly to his office!
We asked about this sharp divergence in approaches:
Jules Vasquez
"You and the Prime Minister appear to be at odds on one important issue. He says he believes that nobody should get gun license. He does not support gun licenses. He does not believe personal firearms. keep people safe. He says he believes it makes them a target. He's opposed to the issuance of gun licenses. You have said incredibly that you see it as an efficient and effective service you must offer and you must facilitate people and not even go to your regional formation, come straight to my office. Explain to me these two very divergent perspectives on gun licenses."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Jules, I guess you may be taking what the Prime Minister said how you want. I believe that you, me and the Prime Minister have the same view of firearms. We don't like firearms. But I cannot take my feelings or my belief and impose it on people. There are people out there who love firearms and there are people out there who believe that they need firearms to protect themselves."
"And once that is the case and they apply and they meet the criteria, I don't see why because I don't like firearms. I must reject them. You as a reporter have reported on numerous occasions of the inefficiency within the public sector."
"The public officers believe that when you, the citizens come to them that they are doing you a favor and not a service. It needs to change. And I believe that as police officers, as the commissioner of police, I must make myself accessible to the people."
"I must serve the people of this country in the best way I know how. And say if a person comes from PG, from Corozal, from San Pedro and they apply for a gun license, they have gone through the OC, - six months it doesn't reach Belmopan, why must I tell them to go back to the OC when I can facilitate them to expedite the process for them. I don't know why they want it. they needed to protect themselves. So in that spirit, I have no difficulty. And again, I have no apology for assisting anybody who comes to my office for a firearm license and I assist them. If you want one Jules, you come. I will give you."
Jules Vasquez
"Yeah, I don't. But I'm just saying..."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"In case you might need one."
Jules Vasquez
"Yes, but you have bout three. This is my concern. I'm just saying, you say, you don't like guns, but everything you do shows that you like guns."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"But do you see me carry them around? I just have them in the event that I need them. I don't carry them around."
Jules Vasquez
"You have it in your vehicle, sir."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"No, no, no. When you're done here, I can take you to search my vehicle. I don't move around with guns. I believe my weapon, my savior, is my God."
