Critics in the Opposition last night warned gangsters could use taxpayers’ cash to fund their illegal activities if Government introduces a buy-back guns programme.Shadow National Security Minister Michael Dunkley warned criminals would try smuggling guns into the Island to take advantage of thousands of dollars up for grabs under the initiative proposed by new National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief. Bermuda Democratic Alliance leader Craig Cannonier said the money would end up in the underworld saying nobody planning to use a gun would hand it over to police anyway, even for a cash reward.Senator Dunkley told The Royal Gazette: “Studies show that law-breakers rarely surrender their guns to buy back programmes. In addition critics contend that funds used to pay for the surrender can easily go towards the purchase of new and more powerful weapons.“With our current inability to properly patrol the points of entry to Bermuda one can assume criminals would try and import weapons to replace older models with funds handed out as reward. Studies also show that there is little conclusive evidence that buy-back programmes have reduced gun violence.”Sen Dunkley said there is “no harm” considering the policy but that Bermuda must learn from the mistakes of other jurisdictions which have tried it and failed.He added: “I am sure there are many in the community who would question paying people to turn in guns when it is against the law to possess them.”Mr Cannonier said: “If you are going to pay double for a gun, that just means double the money is going to go to the underworld and towards fuelling this foolishness.“If you are targeting the real guns being used out there, if they sell them at an increased price, what do you think they are going to use that money for?“I would rather hear about some programmes targeting these guys and bust them down every week until it stops. Paying for guns? Mercy.”Mr Perinchief, the former Assistant Police Commissioner, says the scheme would involve guns already on the Island and would be aimed at members of the public who can get information on where weapons are.He believes removing guns from the streets would take the sense of power away from gangs and change the dynamic of their culture.Mr Cannonier said street contacts have told him police are already working on a buy-back programme, although he doesn’t believe it will solve gang problems.He said: “Mr Perinchief was saying it’s about power. Nobody is going to sell their power. The very thing that’s giving them power is not the money, it’s the gun.“These guys on the street are not stupid. They are smart. We have to be careful we are not providing another opportunity to them to raise funds to continue what they are doing.”Despite his reservations on the buy-back programme, Sen Dunkley said he was looking forward to working with Mr Perinchief following his promotion to replace David Burch.“We commend the Minister for his zeal in trying to come to grips with his new portfolio and the many challenges we all face, especially in regards to public safety,” he said.“We hope however that new ideas are not being floated as trial balloons to create headlines or give the impression that something is being done.“We have seen enough feel good laws or policies that have not worked to date.” Sen Dunkley named the ban on cell phones as a law as an example.He commended police on recent results, but warned: “Is painfully clear that there is still much work to be done.“We urge the new Minister to listen closely to the Commissioner and his colleagues to gauge what policy and budget they require to get the job done.“While both the Minister and Junior Minister [former Commissioner Jonathan Smith] are former top cops who bring a certain level of experience with them to these posts they also need to appreciate the new and very different responsibilities of being politicians.“The Commissioner and the Bermuda Police Service need to be supported and not micro-managed.“Finally, while the Minister is considering ways to take a bite out of gang and gun violence we again will take this opportunity to show our support for an Operations Ceasefire approach that has worked in many areas.”