Pastors support Al Miller's gun amnesty call

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AT least two pastors have joined controversial preacher Rev Al Miller's call for a gun amnesty to rid the streets of Jamaica of the deadly weapon. Monsignor Michael Lewis, rector of the influential Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in St Andrew, and Bishop Alvin Bailey, who heads the Holiness Christian Church, were with one voice as they joined Miller in his call during this week's Observer Monday Exchange meeting of reporters and editors.

"If it's a way of getting the guns off the streets, let's do it," said Lewis.

In joining Lewis, Bailey said, "It should be allowed to happen for those who want to."

But, at the same time, both men expressed some concern that an amnesty may not have the desired impact as there is a possibility that only older guns may be turned in -- as was the case in the 1970s when then Prime Minister Michael Manley called a gun amnesty.

Bishop Bailey also expressed a concern that the guns may be "sanitised" before being brought in and hence could not be traced to incidents of shooting.

On Sunday, while addressing members of his congregation at Fellowship Tabernacle on Washington Boulevard in St Andrew, Miller pushed the need for the Government and the Opposition "to urgently do what is necessary to give a period of amnesty for guns or weapons".

"Politicians have in the past unofficially put guns into the hands of the youth," said Miller. "They must now officially take them out by allowing this amnesty and forgive their offences. The majority [of youth in crime] want to stop but they don't know how to. Let us give the youth a fresh start."

Miller framed his suggestion against the background of his meeting last Tuesday with then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke who, Miller said, wanted to see an end to gang violence.

Coke, who was wanted by the US Government to answer to drug and gun-trafficking charges, was in a motor vehicle with Miller when he was captured by the police.

Miller said he was acting on Coke's request to take him to the US Embassy. However, the police took Coke before a Resident Magistrate where Coke waived his right to an extradition hearing and was flown to New York, where he is now before a federal court.

Miller was last Thursday charged with harbouring a fugitive and perverting the course of justice.