Arms trafficking adds to dangers of return to Haiti

As reported in a recent article in the Daily Herald, our current administration has terminated Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for approximately 1 million people from dozens of countries, including 350,000 Haitians who have been living and working in the U.S. since 2010. Many, unfortunately, will have no choice but to return to Haiti where 1.5 million have been displaced because of gang violence. Since January this year over 2,300 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured proving that life there remains highly dangerous.

An important and less discussed factor involved in this tragic story is that much of the suffering of Haitians is a direct consequence of gangs in Haiti who are heavily armed with U.S.-sourced guns. Haiti does not manufacture firearms and is under an arms embargo. So, how are they acquiring firearms?

Organized crime in the Caribbean is fueled by arms trafficking traced largely to Florida and Georgia where U.S. gun dealers and manufacturers use of reckless unlawful business practices to exploit our weak gun laws and regulations for their profit. Weapons trafficked in the U.S. are fueling Haiti’s escalating gang violence and worsening the country’s instability.

Legislation has been introduced into Congress called the ARMAS Act (HR 6736) which will address the illegal trafficking of firearms to Haiti by strengthening transparency, accountability, and oversight of U.S. arms exports and ultimately prevent firearms from falling into the hands of dangerous criminals.

We can, at the least, try to help those Haitians who must return to their homes and families live in a safer country by contacting our Representatives in Congress and asking them to co-sponsor and support this important bill.

Lori Moss, Gurnee