THE EDITOR: Farmers and fishermen must have easier access to firearm users’ licenses (FULs).

I reiterate this call on the heels of yet another murder in Carlsen Field, Chase Village, this time of 27-year-old Christopher Christian, who died fighting off criminals in a botched robbery attempt.

This tragedy is said to be one of more than 20 acts of violence against that community recently.

After almost a decade of continuous failure by this Government, in national security and citizen safety, agriculture and sustainable community, the time for talk and empty assurances is gone.

Promises flow far too easily from the Keith Rowley administration, to the point that it has become part of the national folklore that nothing he and his government says can be believed.

We forget the value added to the national interest by fishermen and farmers; we forget they are on the frontline in providing food for a nation finding it more and more difficult to sustain its food import bill. The purpose of the State is not only to talk and stand with farmers and fishermen, but more importantly to ensure the essential needs of this industry are met so they can work, and also thrive and build legacies for their families.

Today, these men and women have neither protection in their industry, nor safety in their homes. They must therefore now have ample and supported opportunities to train in firearm use and qualify for firearm users’ licenses as an absolute necessity.

The national community has never, in our nation’s history, faced such unprecedented and widespread levels of sustained violence. Communities are losing their sense of identity and unity and, especially among younger people, we are seeing evidence of emerging thinking that, somehow, criminals in TT have more freedom than law-abiding, tax-paying citizens.

If such thinking is left unchecked without strong policy action, what will happen to the goal of stronger, safer and more sustainable communities? What will happen to the majority of capable young men and women who will one day need to take our nation forward?

As the UNC's shadow mnister for sport and community development, I can describe the national mood as panic-stricken.

People are terrified, for themselves, for their families, for their friends and for their communities. As parliamentarians, we show up, we advocate on their behalf, we seek support and assistance from stakeholders, but the responsibility falls to government.

This government, however, has failed to the point of being barely functional and is utterly incapable of realising this fact.

ARNOLD RAM

MP, Caroni Central

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