Project Description

This initiative is being undertaken through an Agreement between the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Ministry of National Security (on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas), as part of the Project of the Department of Public Security of the OAS, “Promoting Firearms Marking in Latin America and the Caribbean”.  

As part of the Agreement, the Ministry of National Security was provided with one marking machine for the execution of the Project. The OAS will provide the necessary training to officers delegated by the Ministry to ensure the proper use and handling of the marking machine.

Information on the Country’s capacities and needs with respect to firearms marking, recording and tracing will be provided to the OAS.

An average of 100 firearms is to be marked each month within the first 12 months of receiving the marking machine. A report will be provided to the General Secretariat of the OAS on the activities carried out by the Ministry of National Security and the objectives achieved utilizing the equipment.

Objectives of Project

1. To enhance the national efforts of The Bahamas to control the illicit supply and use of firearms in criminal activity within the Country; and, help to stem the illegal entry of firearms from abroad.
2. To enable the clear display of serial number, model and other forms of identification, which will ensure that firearms can be properly identified and so that law enforcement authorities can trace the movement of the firearms to its point of origin.

Project Status

Since the donation of the firearms marking machine, more than three hundred and sixty illegal guns have been marked and removed from the streets. A dedicated team at the police force’s armory has marked,  recovered  and confiscated weapons.

For more information please contact:

The Officer-in-Charge of Police Armory
Internal Security Division
Thompson Boulevard
Nassau,
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 323-5467
Fax. (242) 322-1212

or

Royal Bahamas Police Force
East Street Headquarters
Nassau,
New Providence
The Bahamas
P.O. Box N-458

Tel. (242) 322-4444
Fax. (242) 328-2644
Website: www.royalbahamaspolice.org

Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, Except on Public Holidays