New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading a coalition of 12 attorneys general, is urging Congress to combat gun trafficking from the U.S. to Caribbean nations, including Jamaica due to its contribution to gun violence.
They advocate for measures like ensuring adequate resources for port inspectors and passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act, which would enhance information on gun trafficking and evaluate anti-trafficking approaches.
Ensuring that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has enough funding to inspect federal firearms licensees that are responsible for a disproportionate number of firearms that are traced after having been used in crimes in countries in the Caribbean and requesting briefings from the United States Postal Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice about their ongoing efforts to interdict shipments of guns from the United States to countries in the Caribbean.
The coalition emphasizes the rising smuggling of guns into the Caribbean, linking it to violence in countries like Haiti, where the U.S. is a primary source of firearms.
The Jamaican Security Ministry reports that around 200 guns are trafficked monthly from the U.S. Attorney General James stresses the importance of addressing this crisis, highlighting the responsibilities to families with ties in the Caribbean.
The coalition’s requests include better funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, enhanced inspection of shipments, and briefings from key agencies on efforts to interdict illegal gun shipments.
James’s efforts have received support from U.S. Representatives who emphasize the need for collaboration to solve both domestic and international gun violence.