Suspects held on firearms offences could soon be held in Westgate before they are charged because of amendments to the Firearms Act.On Friday, the Firearms Amendment Act 2011 was passed in the House of Assembly, allowing firearms suspects to be held in Westgate, the Co-Ed Facility or the Prison Farm prior to being charged.Presenting the act in the House of Assembly, Attorney General Michael Scott said the amendments were necessary because of the increase in firearms offences, and police jail facilities that are inadequate for holding prisoners for longer periods of time.Until last year, police were able to hold firearms suspects for up to 72 hours before having to charge or release them, but legislation debated last year extended that time to 14 days.Officers can also apply for an extension providing another 14 days.However, Mr Scott said that amendments to the act were needed because cells in the police stations are too small and lack other PACE requirements necessary for longer periods in custody.Opposition MP John Barritt supported the amendments, also noting the increase in gun violence in the community.He asked Mr Scott to confirm if the infrastructure and budget was in place for the prisons to hold firearms suspects.“There is no question we need to review and look at the legislation so that police have all the tools to get on top of this problem before it gets on top of us,” he said.“What we want to hear, what the public wants to hear is that everything is in place for this to actually happen, and not only for it to happen, but for it to work the way it’s supposed to work.”Mr Scott responded that all three prison facilities have available spaces and that the financing is in place, adding that if they find that ‘deeper segregation’ is needed to keep the suspects away from the main criminal body, changes could be made.Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief said that changes in the system were needed as the number of homicide and firearms convictions continues to rise.He said he had hoped the topic would bring about more discussion in the house, but Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz said: “We don’t want to see to much more talk about this, we want to see action.”The amendment was passed in the house unanimously.