85% of Guns Traced to American Sellers

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A report from the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Department revealed that between 2018 and 2022, 85 percent of recovered guns in The Bahamas were traced to American retail buyers.

This latest data comes as The Bahamas continues to grapple with gun trafficking and as a result gun violence in The Bahamas.

According to the report, the guns are trafficked most commonly through shopping transport and can be concealed in large items like cars, and televisions.

They can also be broken into components and hidden in household items like bags of rice or cereal, and packed in breakbulk cargo.

Communications Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Latrae Rahming reiterated the issue has been a major concern for the government, has been working to address the matter.  

The report from the us government accountability office found that 73 percent of guns found in the Caribbean were traced to the United States with most sales originating in Florida, Texas and Georgia.

Despite the alarming number, Rahming says there have been improvements on curbing the trend.
 
The Bahamas is also supporting a legal case against gun manufacturers.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has been highlighting the issue even meeting U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on two occasions to address the matter.

But with a new government coming in, how will this impact efforts?

“With the change of administration, we only could hope that there is consistency in the policy,” Ramming said.