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A worrying 109 licensed firearms have been stolen across Jamaica in just two years, sparking new concerns that these weapons could be used to commit deadly crimes.

The latest Economic and Social Survey Jamaica shows that in 2024, 44 firearms and 712 rounds of ammunition were stolen, while in 2023, 65 guns and 1,289 rounds of ammunition were lost to criminals.

Security expert Robert Finzi Smith told THE STAR that while the Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA) has outlined the policies for holders to follow, the entity "can't carry the weapon for you".

"And you have some people who wear it like an accessory," he said. After a licensed firearm is stolen, Finzi Smith noted that the owner has to report it to the police and the FLA.

"They now know that the weapon is out there and if they're running smart, that is the police, any shootings that take place, they try and compare the ballistics of the shooting to the ballistics of the weapon they have on file," he said.

In Jamaica, anyone found guilty of possessing an illegal firearm faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.

"Depends on the circumstances under which they lost it, it is very difficult to tighten these rules any more than they are. But you have people who have a mentality that once they carry a weapon, they are omnipotent and their behaviour betrays the fact that they are carrying a weapon."

With the worrying rise in stolen weapons, Finzi Smith delivered a blunt warning to current and future firearm holders.

"The minute you get a weapon to carry legally, your entire lifestyle has changed. For example, if you are going to the beach and have a licensed firearm, you have a choice. Do you leave it at home locked up in the safe that you must have and hope that nothing happens on the way to the beach that you would need it?" he said.

Finzi Smith also suggested that the type of clothes one wears may change drastically.

"Cause dropping a shirt over a weapon doesn't necessarily conceal it. Or you can conceal it so well that when you need it, you can't reach it. So once you decide you want to carry a weapon, it carries a whole lot of consequences with it," he said.

THE STAR also asked Finzi Smith about the lack of proper storage facilities at events and businesses hampering licensed firearm holders.

"There was a time when I did a fair amount of event security and what I did was to have an armoured truck in the vicinity of the gate, and the ... firearm holder goes in ... has to show them their permit, and the weapon is stored in a locked bag very much like you have at FLA, and it's kept there until you're ready to leave. And then you have to return with what they've given you, including your licence, to retrieve it. Promoters seem to think that that is an additional cost they want to avoid," he said.

Pressed for practical advice for gun holders to keep their weapons safe, he said "Be constantly aware of your surroundings and it's not everywhere that two pan cover lick together that you should go." He argued Jamaica should consider deeper screening before granting firearm licences.

"Maybe there are two licences you should find that you need to do a psychological evaluation before you're granted one - a driver's licence and a gun licence. With a driver's licence you're now in possession of a 4,000 pound weapon. You need a psychometric evaluation because you don't know what is going to make somebody trip over the edge."

THE STAR reached out to CEO of the FLA, Shane Dalling, but up to news time, he had not yet provided a comment.