Firearm-Related Violence in the Caribbean

 

This document discusses the systemic issue of firearm-related violence in the Caribbean and proposes a public health approach to address it.

Credits : The Authors -  Natasha P. Sobers,ᵃ,∗ Joeleita Agard,ᵃ Katrina Norville,ᵃ Anne-Séverine Fabre,ᵇ Nicolas Florquin,ᵇ Callixtus Joseph,ᶜ Madeleine Joseph,ᵈ Maria Garcia-Joseph,ᵉ Reginald King,ᶠ P Jason Toppin,ᵍ Hugh Wong,ʰ and Simon G. Andersonᵃ,ⁱ

Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). www.thelancet.com Vol 52 December, 2025

Firearm-Related Violence in the Caribbean

• Gun violence in the Caribbean has reached crisis levels, prompting regional leaders to advocate for a public health approach to prevention and control.
• A multisectoral group has been formed to develop a "Pathway to Policy" using systems mapping to understand firearm-related crimes and injuries across thirteen Caribbean countries. ​
• The analysis reveals feedback loops where firearm-related crimes contribute to household poverty, national economic costs, and a culture of violence, reinforcing gun violence.
• Interventions suggested include reducing illicit firearm access, enhancing social development programs, and investing in education to balance gun violence rates. ​

Public Health Approach to Violence ​

• The public health approach emphasizes understanding root causes rather than solely relying on law enforcement. ​
• The CDC outlines four phases for addressing violence: defining the problem, identifying risk factors, developing prevention strategies, and ensuring widespread adoption.
• Collaboration among stakeholders from health, security, and other sectors is essential for effective planning and response to this complex issue.

Current Homicide Rates and Trends

• The Americas, including the Caribbean, have a homicide rate significantly higher than the global average, with some Caribbean countries reporting rates up to nine times higher. ​
• Firearms are used in over half of the homicides in the region, with Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas having the highest rates. ​
• The situation is particularly dire in Haiti, where gangs control significant areas and have access to military-grade firearms, exacerbating violence and food insecurity. ​

CARICOM's Response and Initiatives

• CARICOM has recognized crime as a barrier to socio-economic development and has shifted towards a public health framework to address violence. ​
• This shift was formalized in 2023 during a symposium that called for a holistic approach involving various societal sectors. ​
• The collaboration between the Small Arms Survey and CARICOM IMPACS has led to the "Weapons Compass: The Caribbean Firearms Study," which highlights the public health and economic consequences of armed violence. ​

Systems Mapping and Analysis

• The systems mapping technique was employed to identify factors contributing to firearm-related injuries and crimes, revealing complex interconnections. ​
• Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) were developed to visualize these relationships, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dynamics of firearm-related violence. ​
• The analysis identified reinforcing loops related to household poverty, national economic costs, and the culture of violence, as well as balancing loops involving public policy and education.

Key Findings and Recommendations

• The study emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that integrates crime response strategies with prevention efforts. ​
• Recommendations include establishing a regional framework for violence research, creating a public data repository for injury surveillance, enhancing collaboration between public health and law enforcement, and implementing evidence-informed public health campaigns to shift social norms. ​
• Educational and social development programs are crucial for addressing the root causes of firearm violence and should be prioritized alongside law enforcement measures. ​

Conclusion

• Addressing firearm-related violence in the Caribbean requires a comprehensive, systemic approach that combines public health, education, and social development with security measures. ​
• The document calls for regional and international cooperation to tackle the issue effectively, recognizing that no single solution is sufficient.
• Future efforts should focus on leveraging systems thinking to develop coordinated action plans that address the complex interplay of factors contributing to firearm violence. 

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