The Editor, Sir:

The criminologist Bernard Headley's suggestion to buy back illegal guns from criminals, murderers and extortionists in Jamaica is suggesting a move from the ridiculous to the sublime.

'The buck must stop here.' The time for talking is over. We as a nation must not support criminals, murderers, extortionists, etc., by rewarding them by buying illegal guns off them.

There is no doubt that most of the illegal guns in Jamaica are part of the guns-for-drugs trade, which has already made mega bucks. Why should they now be rewarded again by buying back illegal guns off them to curtail crime and gun violence in Jamaica?

No end in sight

These gunmen and their gangs are responsible for numerous murders in our society of innocent men, women, children and members of our security forces. After years of talking by our politicians, it is clear that there is no end in sight or solutions to the crime problem in Jamaica.

At this time, the people of Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora are more interested in seeing the Jamaican police arrest criminals, gunmen and women of all kinds, and dismantle the guns-for-drugs trade and street gangs of all types and political persuasion. Any such money would be better spent to modernise and empower the police force and army to overcome the problem of crime and violence in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

COTTRELL HYATT

14 Claremont Road

London E9 7RR

cottrellhyatt@yahoo.com