JTUM, NATUC back stand-your-ground proposal

Akash Samaroo

Senior Reporter/ Producer

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The Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) and the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) have expressed their full support for the Government’s proposed stand-your-ground legislation.

But JTUM is stressing that for the law to be effective, citizens must have easier and affordable access to legal firearms.

At a consultation with the umbrella union bodies and Government ministers yesterday in Port-of-Spain, JTUM President Ancel Roget said, “Let me say openly, I support 100 per cent this bill in its entirety, because they (criminals) know no bounds, they care nothing about who is who.”

However, he added, “But to be able to make this make sense and make it a reality, we have to correct the imbalance. And I think that what people would want to know is a quick process to correct the imbalance. And therefore, the process towards achieving firearms must be speeded up. And people must be assured that this is going to take place. And once that is in place, we are on the road to progress here.”

A call for easier access to firearms was a common one from the trade unionists. However, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander advised that the law does not mandate that only a gun can be used for protection. He also cautioned that the firearms cannot just be given without due process and consideration for the person’s mental capabilities.

“Men with domestic violence situations, I often say, please do not apply until you have resolved your situation. You hear what I say? Those who have mental issues, I suggest you don’t apply until you would have dealt with that situation,” Alexander said.

Meanwhile, Roget sought to dismiss what he called fearmongering by the People’s National Movement, that legal firearms would be used to kill people of a particular race.

“So, you see this question about people looking like me, that is putting race into the element of me saving my life and the life of my family. That has no consideration as far as I’m concerned. I want the right to use deadly force to ensure that I live after a home invasion has taken place. Or that the criminal will know that everybody else has a right and that itself will present a type of deterrent coming into people’s homes.”

Roget also had a message to attorneys who would seek to represent the alleged criminals in these instances.

“And to those lawyers, to those lawyers who defend the criminals who come into your home, we also want to send a message to them that the criminals have no right having invaded my home,” he added.

However, there was a concern expressed by Clifton Simpson, the first deputy president general of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW). Simpson said people may be overzealous in using the law as a shield and may attack trade unionists who are protesting near their property.

“We have been known to go by people’s homes and protest. And did the legislators anticipate that such an event may take place to protect trade unionists doing legitimate trade union work in or around property at different times? And I am not only talking about homeowners. Because sometimes they hire people purportedly to be security experts who are a bit eager to please,” Simpson said.

However, he was advised by Roget to simply stay out of the person’s property.

“The law gives you the right, as trade unionists, the right of picketing and the right of picketing has nothing to do with invading anyone’s property, right?”