Chairman of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), expressed condolences to the family of a slain Chinese couple, murdered at their business place in December 2021. Their son, Wenqiang Shu, who operates the business with them and lives with them had sought a firearm license prior but was denied. The chairman explained the challenges of approving licenses for some foreign nationals.
Wenqiang Shu, the sole child of the Chinese couple murdered at Jojo’s Supermarket in St Elizabeth last December had hoped to be armed to protect his family. He applied for a license and after nearly three years of waiting and constant break-ins, was still denied.
The FLA has since been under the microscope about its handling of the request but insists the couple did not apply, their son did. Tuesday, during the press briefing, FLA Chairman Colonel Audley Carter expressed condolences to the grieving family.
CVM LIVE questioned the Chairman however as to the basis on which the son’s request was denied. He explained it is difficult to delve into the background of certain nationals, based on the closed nature of their societies and that interactions with the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and other Caribbean countries are not that difficult, but finds it challenging to get any background checks on anyone from Eastern European countries and those in the far East.
The retired colonel says sometimes the board has to be cautious and deny the applicant, who can appeal the ruling within twenty-one (21) days.
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