Trinidad PM pushes for ‘stand your ground’ law to curb home invasions

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is standing firm on her government’s plan to introduce legislation that would allow law-abiding citizens to legally arm themselves and defend their families in the event of home invasions.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference on Thursday night, the Prime Minister said the proposed “stand your ground” law was a key issue her United National Congress (UNC)-led coalition campaigned on during the April 28 general election. She confirmed that a special committee will be appointed to develop the legislation, using models from around the world, including the U.S. state of Florida.

Florida’s “stand your ground” law allows people to use deadly force to protect themselves or others without having to run away first, if they reasonably believe it’s needed to stop someone from seriously hurting or killing them, or to stop a violent crime like robbery, burglary, or rape. Florida’s law gained international attention after the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman.

“We campaigned on that, we got a special majority vote, that was one of the things we promised, and we will deliver,” she declared. “For those of you who are against that…the answer is simple: do not apply.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that participation in the new legal framework would be voluntary and rooted in democratic principles. “This is still a democracy and as long as I am here, it will remain a democracy,” she said, adding that citizens are free to express opposing views. “Today I am voicing mine.”

Persad-Bissessar recounted numerous letters from victims of home invasions who felt powerless to protect their loved ones. “Most victims wanted to defend their families but did not have the equal means to do it,” she said. “If criminals invade your homes, do not back down, show absolutely no mercy, and attack them with full force within the law of Trinidad and Tobago. I am fully committed to making sure the law is put in place.”

The former Prime Minister, who led the country from 2010 to 2015, also criticized the former People’s National Movement (PNM) government, accusing it of “failing miserably” for nearly a decade to protect citizens.

“I ask you to just envision and imagine some criminal beating the life out of your husband or your wife, raping your daughter. What would you do? You will have to stand your ground and defend your family,” she said.

She added that criminals have shown no mercy in recent years, with thousands reportedly murdered, missing, extorted, or terrorized.

During the briefing, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, a former senior police officer, gave a vivid account of how home invasions typically unfold.

“The criminal pulls a person out of their bed by their legs or hair and instructs them to lie on the ground as they demand money and jewellery,” he explained. “You hear screaming and you could do nothing. You hear either your mother, your daughter or your wife screaming: ‘Oh God, don’t do me that nah, please, please, don’t do me that!’”

Alexander added, “Sometimes there would be a moment of silence and one wonders if one’s loved one had been killed. These criminals walk away and the only response that innocent people have is the ability to cry.”

The government has not yet given a timeline for when the legislation will be tabled, but Persad-Bissessar insisted the measure will move forward, staying true to the coalition’s election promise to better empower Trinidad and Tobago citizens against violent crime.