The Minister of Legal Affairs, Saddam Hosein, says the government remains committed to giving citizens the opportunity to fight back against criminals through the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, 2025.
This commitment has translated into public consultations, giving citizens the opportunity to share their views and suggestions on the draft legislation.
Speaking at a Public Consultation at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua on Tuesday, Minister Hosein said the law will seek to give citizens the right to defend themselves and their property against criminals who unlawfully enter their residence.
“You work your entire life to buy nice things, to enjoy your life, to enjoy, so your family will enjoy. The criminal comes in into your house, the current law is, you shoot him, albeit with a legal firearm, you chop him in your house, he ends up dead, and then the next thing that has to happen is that you in a police station having to defend yourself because you were defending your home. Is that fair? Could that ever be fair?”
Minister Hosein stated that the government will issue legal firearms to equip citizens if the scenario ever occurs. He noted, however, that this will be preceded by a rigorous screening process.
“If we are giving you the right to stand your ground and to take action against the criminals, you can’t use your hand. You can’t use the kitchen knife alone. We must also equip our citizens with the necessary tools in order to fight back against the criminals. But it doesn’t mean that the government is going to arm every citizen. There will still be a screening process. There will be a competency test.”
He reassured that there will also be a balance to the law.
“What the law has done also at the last clause of the Bill, which is clause 10, is create various exceptions so that, for example, a police officer, in the lawful execution of his duty, comes into your home, he’s not a home invader. You can’t kill the police officer.”
Seeking further public opinion at the public consultation in Tacarigua on Tuesday, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government and Member of Parliament for St. Augustine, Khadijah Ameen, encouraged citizens to give their feedback.
“So, whether you are coming from a legal background, we did share and circulate the Bill to everyone who was invited. You can make your input or suggestion in various clauses of the Bill, or about what you would like to see included or excluded. But this is also an opportunity for you to share your human experience, your fears, your concerns, and just lay it on the table.”
Consultations on the Bill will continue in various areas throughout the country.