THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am writing to express my disgust at the new body put in place to grant firearm licences, known as the Firearm Licensing Authority.

I would like the Minister of National Security to help put in place a system to help police personnel to aquire firearm licences.

Being a policeman, your life is at risk every day and this new system is not making it easier for us to obtain a firearm's licence.

On a daily basis we are authorised to sign for a firearm to work on the streets and this is no problem. If we weren't capable of carrying firearms how could we be issued with the government's firearms.

What I am saying is that over 19 police personnel were killed by criminal elements last year, and most did not have a licenced firearm to defend themselves and criminals knew this.

In times like these I think the firearm licence authority should speed up the process so that police personnel can aquire their personal firearm.

Another issue that the firearm licensing authority and the Minister of National Security should immediately address, is the point that being the holder of a firearm licence already and wishing to upgrade his or her firearm from a .38 to a 9mm, that licence firearm holder should not have to start from the beginning of the process as if they were just owning a firearm.

I am also using this opportunity to express condolences to the families and friends of our slain colleagues.

I am, etc.,

Concerned Policeman

St. Thomas