Minister Backs Firearms Board Amid Criticism from Gun Dealer

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa is standing by the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board amid criticism from Abner Murillo, owner of Lock N’ Loaded gun shop. Murillo has publicly condemned the new licensing process as slow, unclear, and unfair to law-abiding citizens.

Responding to the criticism, Musa said, “He obviously has a right to protest regulations. Obviously a lot of gun dealers thrived when we had zero regulations with the issuing of gun licenses.” He pointed to past issues, saying, “We heard many horror stories, instances of corruption, instances of paying off to get a gun license. A lot of unsavory individuals getting gun license and we have pivoted away from that.”

Musa added, “I know that is going to harm the business of gun dealers and this guy is a gun dealer right, so it going to harm his business naturally… But, he has to understand, we are operating under new circumstances, under regulations.” He praised the board’s efforts, saying, “I think the board has been doing an exceptionally good job… These are positive things, so instead of applauding these things, he is out there complaining because he is not making the kind of money he use to.”

Musa said, “I have to respect that, but at the end of the day my duty is to the Belizean people to make sure we have proper regulations in place.”