Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, says the new legislation that will give illegal firearm holders and users, longer prison sentences, is now in its final stages.

He was speaking at the launch of the ‘Reducing Small Arms and Light Weapons in Jamaica Project‘ in Montego Bay, St James recently.

The project is being done, through a partnership, between the national security ministry and the united nations.

Dr. Chang lamented, that about 85% of homicides in Jamaica, are committed with firearms, and that Jamaica continues to have a very high homicide rate.

He said the new legislation seeks to address the concern, that convicted persons seemingly get very light sentences.

The new legislation will also facilitate the development of a national small arms control strategy.