The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines is moving to tighten firearm licensing and strengthen national security measures following two recent fatal shootings that have raised concerns about gun violence in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for National Security, Disaster Management and Immigration, Major St Clair Leacock, convened an emergency meeting on Sunday with Commissioner of Police Enville Williams, senior members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) High Command and representatives of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service.

In a statement, the RSVGPF said the nearly 3-hour meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs and was called in response to the killings of Kevin Richards, 25, of Montaque, Mesopotamia, and Lenford Peters, 43, of Richland Park. 

The shootings, which occurred on February 6 and February 7, pushed the country’s 2026 murder toll to five.

Officials discussed several issues affecting public safety, including crime prevention strategies, the rise in illegal firearms, gang activity, police manpower shortages, operational resources, working conditions, traffic management and overall capacity within the security services.

During the meeting, Leacock stressed that protecting citizens remains the government’s primary responsibility and expressed serious concern about the country’s homicide rate for 2026. 

He warned that there are “too many firearms in the hands of the wrong people”.

The Deputy Prime Minister announced that the government will immediately review the process for issuing firearm licences and permits. He said stricter background checks will be introduced and disclosed that licences previously granted to civilians for high-powered rifles will be revoked.

Addressing gang activity, Leacock said authorities will not allow any gang or individual to control communities across St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

He also cautioned against the normalisation of gang culture and emphasised that tackling gang violence requires cooperation between law enforcement, government agencies, civil society groups, the private sector, faith-based organisations, schools and families.

Leacock assured police leadership of the government’s full support in strengthening crime prevention and enforcement efforts. He pledged to provide the necessary human, financial and material resources to enhance national security operations.

Williams highlighted key operational and equipment needs to improve the force’s crime-fighting capacity. 

The minister noted that several initiatives outlined in the 2026 National Budget are expected to support policing and national security improvements.

The RSVGPF is urging citizens to cooperate with law enforcement in efforts to build safer communities, reminding the public not to ignore criminal activity or harbour offenders.

Police also issued a warning to individuals involved in crime to cease illegal activities or face prosecution, stressing the force remains committed to investigating offences and bringing perpetrators to justice.