Home Affairs Minister Randolph Horton says a gun amnesty would come about only after a full consultation by his Ministry with the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr. Horton spoke out yesterday in response to calls by his UBP counterpart Maxwell Burgess for the amnesty after Police were recently faced with a man waving what appeared to be a firearm.

"If we continue to have a Police Service without guns going into places where people might have guns, you can imagine what that will do," Mr. Burgess told The Royal Gazette on Sunday. "We will all pay the price tenfold."

A gun amnesty, he suggested, would give people one last chance to turn firearms in to authorities without fear of penalty. Anyone who was caught in possession of a firearm after such an amnesty would have had their chance and could therefore be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Should Government consider making gun laws in Bermuda even harsher, he added, it would have the full support of the Opposition.

"Certainly I am concerned about reports that suggest that there is an increase in the number of illegal firearms in Bermuda," Mr. Horton said last night.

"One illegal firearm is one too many and the Bermuda Police Service is resolute in its efforts to apprehend offenders in this area. There are already in place very strict penalties for those found guilty of firearms offences, so there can be little doubt that the courts have the ability to deal harshly with these offenders.

"I have noted the Shadow Minister's recent call for a gun amnesty in Bermuda. While we have had gun amnesties in the past - the last was in 1994 - we have not ruled out having another gun amnesty. However, any decision to have an amnesty will be after very careful consideration by this Ministry and after full consultation with the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"Let me take this opportunity to praise CrimeStoppers, an organisation that continues to play an important role in the war against crime in Bermuda," Mr. Horton continued.

"Very often members of the public are reluctant to make a complaint or to report a suspected offence to the Police, but are more comfortable in contacting CrimeStoppers (1-800-623-8477). I trust that anyone who suspects illicit firearm use will not hesitate to contact CrimeStoppers, who will ensure that the appropriate action is taken.

"The safety of the people of Bermuda is of the utmost importance. We shall therefore deal harshly with anyone who compromises that safety."