[dropcap]A[/dropcap] person carrying a loaded gun can kill you at any second. Even without the intent to kill, all it takes is the pull of a trigger to end a life, whether deliberately or through mishap. Some of us grow overly precautious since guns can also go so easily undetected. We avoid conflict at all costs and we keep track of all heinous incidents like that time 18-year-old Bianca Robertson and 28-year-old David Desper tried to switch lanes simultaneously on a US highway last year before he, overcome by road rage, pulled out a gun, and shot the teenager in the head.
Just last week a man climbed up the makeshift shortcut—a path through the bushes adjacent to my home—and walked up the road directly in front our house. Our German Shepherd, fulfilling his dog duties, barked loudly, alerting all of the stranger’s presence. When I looked out from my balcony, the man, walking away from our house, had his middle finger up as high as his head. Annoyed, I yelled, “Rude!”
“Does he not know that this is what dogs do?” I thought. Unsatisfied, I felt the desire to keep spewing words at him but they caught in my throat when the thought occurred to me that clearly the man was having a bad day if he thought it necessary to flip off a dog. What else would he be willing to do if I were to anger him some more?
Altercations seem a natural part of life’s fabric—maybe too much so for us subsisting in this Caribbean heat. How many of us peer inconspicuously out of the window when our neighbours are raising hell outside? How many of us walk out to get a better view, or give our “two cents”? Let’s face it, those of us who feel able or entitled to intervene for the sake of quelling the situation are few. Yet, as much as we may be intrigued by drama, most of us cannot stomach, firstly, the sight if things were to go overboard and/or secondly, the guilt of knowing we stood by while things spiralled out of control.
A video surfaced last week where a man—cutlass in one hand and gun in the other—can be seen arguing with two other men amongst bush in Millet. It turns out they were having a dispute over land. A woman, who was videoing the scenario, can be heard saying, “All that happening in front of my child!” The armed man then turns, notices her recording device, rushes towards her while brandishing his cutlass and gun saying, “Doubout sa! Tiwé camera douvan mwen!” (Stop that! Move that camera on me!) In the background another male subject can be heard saying, “Gadé! Felix lévé fizi asou douvan ich mwen!” (God! Look at Felix raise gun on me in front of my child!). At that moment, the assailant points his gun in this man’s direction. A third man, clad in black, steps in front the assailant saying, “Mésyé, pa fè sa”(Man, don’t do that.) They scuffle some more while expletives can be heard firing back and forth before the video ends abruptly. It was revealed later that the woman involved was visibly nine months pregnant.
Everyone walked away unharmed including the woman, still expecting to go into delivery at any moment, yet one cannot help but wonder: What if, for whatever reason, the trigger on this man’s gun had been pulled? How could he so venomously threaten, weapons and all, a pregnant woman? How is it that someone with this temper and rationality is armed?
A reliable source has revealed the man is not some wayward character in possession of a smuggled lethal weapon. In fact, the gun is licensed and he has been approved to carry said firearm. Surely, systems are in place to keep weapons out of the wrong hands—many of us would like to think. But situations like the one mentioned above yield no comfort.
To obtain a firearm license one must fill out an application form, provide relevant information on his or her mental health, and criminal records, as well as more obscure details like the reason for wanting said firearm, history of firearm ownership and occurrences of life/family threats. It also requires the signing off of two references. This is then submitted for approval from the Commissioner who performs relevant checks inclusive of things like criminal history, the details of which the police prefer to remain undisclosed to avoid future cover-ups by applicants.
Truthfully, instances requiring possession of a thing so deliberately meant to inflict harm are few if at all. A person fearful for his or her life—a public figure, a recipient of threats, victims of serial, criminal activity—may reason that they are in need of protection but this would not be necessary in places with adequate protection and prevention systems in place.
While no arrests have been made regarding the aforementioned altercation in Millet, sources have revealed that the matter is expected to be taken before a judge within the coming weeks. Police also told the STAR, “It is being looked into but no confirmed statements can be made.” As for the man who pointed his gun at a pregnant woman in the presence of her offspring, his firearm license has since been revoked. Athough possible trauma following the incident is immeasurable, not every such situation ends this well—where everyone walks away with his or her life.
Anger and conflict will remain a natural part of the human experience and, unfortunately for us, the possession of manmade, deadly weapons remains as well. What can you do? You simply hope that one day you are not on the receiving end of fatal complacency.
