DAYS after a female home-owner shot and killed an intruder at her Chaguanas home, the Opposition Leader is promising easier access to Firearms Users Licences (FULs) for law-abiding citizens after the UNC winds the next general elections.
And with this ease of access to legal firearms under a UNC government, she said at the party's public meeting in Chaguanas on Monday, "when the criminals invade your home, draw your licensed firearm and light them up! Empty the whole clip and reload too. Fight fire with fire!"
On Saturday night, an intruder was shot in the head and killed after he climbed over the fence of a house in Endeavour, entered the home-owner's SUV and then began to violently shake the front door of the house.
The female occupant grabbed a licensed firearm belonging to another person who also lives in the house, pointed it at the man through a window and fired a shot.
Referring to that incident, Persad-Bissessar said, "This is why more law-abiding citizens must be given legal firearms. This is why we must have stand-your-ground laws, so this woman will not be charged."
The Siparia MP, who is also a senior counsel, said, "Imagine this mother seeing this criminal trying to break in to rob and rape her and her daughter, and now she can be charged for defending herself. "
She claimed the PNM did not want citizens to protect themselves against criminals. "You have to vote them out so the UNC can give you that power."
A video clip of Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal speaking at a PNM meeting, was then played at the meeting. In that video, Sagramsingh-Sooklal is heard telling Persad-Bissessar to stand her ground.
"Understand that the PNM controls the majority in Parliament and as long as we are here, we will not support stand your ground (legislation)...we will not support stand your ground..." the PNM senator is heard saying.
On Monday night, Persad-Bissessar turned to the Bible to support the UNC's argument for stand-your-ground laws to fight crime. She quoted Exodus 22:2.
"If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder.'
UNC supporters cheered as she continued, "If the holy book tells you to stand your ground and defend your family, who is the PNM to tell you otherwise?" She added, "I always tell you those who God bless, let no man curse."
Against a background of waving UNC flags and ringing bells, Persad-Bissessar reiterated, "Those who the Lord blesses, let no man curse." She reiterated, "We will deal with crime. The UNC will secure Trinidad and Tobago."
The former prime minister promised that under a UNC government, people and their children will be safe from criminals.
"This election, put the physical security, financial security and mental security of your loved ones first. Don't tote, just vote."
She told people that if they vote for the UNC in the elections, Government "may change course and give you legal
