As the government moves to introduce ‘Stand Your Ground’ legislation, citizens are being invited to weigh in.
On Wednesday, Tunapuna residents had their say during a public consultation led by their MP, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander. He was joined by Freedom Chambers Independent Affiliate Attorney-at-Law Ganesh Saroop as both fielded questions and addressed concerns raised by citizens.
Mr. Saroop reiterated that within the first three months in office, the government, through the Law Reform Commission, produced a draft bill known as the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill 2025.
“While in opposition, the honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC, and now Prime Minister, recognised the increasing trend in home invasions. It was her mission and vision that there be clear and specific legislation to deal with the spiralling increase in home invasion involving senior citizens, children, and the most vulnerable in our society.”
Minister Alexander responded to concerns about the legal implications of a family member using a licensed firearm to defend the home during a potentially deadly invasion. He clarified how the proposed legislation would address such scenarios, particularly in cases where the firearm is used by someone other than the registered owner.
“It covers her, because at the end of the day it should be considered as a weapon of opportunity because she was not the holder of a firearm user’s license, but because of what was happening at the home, and you may have been detained, let’s call it, and she used the weapon in defence of her family, it’s a weapon of opportunity.”
Many residents welcomed the proposed legislation. One resident of Paradise Heights expressed her gratitude, saying she believed this law was long overdue.
“I wholeheartedly support it because I was a victim of home invasion in 1992, right? I still remember the details up to this day, and since then, I’ve become very hypervigilant. I had my car stolen from a church yard in 2014, right, so I support it, and I am watching the opposition to see how they vote on this legislation. Let them put their money where their mouth is.”
Mr. Saroop stressed that the Stand Your Ground legislation does not simply give people the ability to kill others for being on their property but more so only when it is justifiable to use deadly force.