ST. VINCENT-CRIME-Government moving to strengthen legislation regarding sex and fire arms crimes.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says his administration will soon bring legislation to Parliament providing for stiffer penalties for persons convicted of sex and firearm crimes.

Gonsalves said there would be an increase in penalties for some sexual offences as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and that the government will also be introducing legislation to regulate the tinting of vehicles.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (File Photo)

'Because criminals or persons suspected of criminal activities have been using tinted vehicles to make detection more difficult,' said Gonsalves, who is also Minister of National Security, adding 'I know some persons are going to object, but the point is this, we have to be reasonable. And we have to think of the entire country.

'I know some persons like to have the tint and be inside there and nobody can see them, and so on, privacy and all the rest of it, but the not only the evidence here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but comparative evidence across the region and from various advisors that this is an area which we need to address.'

Gonsalves said the law to regulate tinting will be introduced soon.

'Well, I want it to be done quite quickly. But there's a draft on it already. I've given my okay as Minister of Legal Affairs, chair of the Cabinet Subcommittee on Legislation,' he said, adding that the increase in the penalties for firearm possession will bring them in line with the regional averages.

'It's fairly stiff at the moment. But it looks as though when you examine comparatively other areas we might be in terms of penalties a little below the median line...