Firearms Ownership in the Caribbean.

Tag: guns

  • Firearms Modification

    Personal and Legal Considerations

    So, you have been a firearm owner for quite some time now. You are sitting at home and thinking,” Its time to upgrade my firearm capability.” You begin to research the most popular upgrades from after-market sights, to specialized triggers, slides, and receivers/frames. After diligent research you finally decide on several upgrades to enhance the performance of your firearm. Then then unthinkable, you are involved in a self defense shooting incident.

    IDENTIFYING FIREARM MODIFICATIONS

    Before we continue, let’s examine what is defined as a firearm modification. According to Google a firearm modification is ” any alteration to a firearm that changes it’s appearance, functionality, or performance. These modifications can range from cosmetic changes, like custom paint jobs, to functional upgrades such as improved sights, lighter trigger, or larger capacity magazines. Some modifications are legal and can improve accuracy or ergonomics, while others such as adding a suppressor or shortening a barrel to an illegal length may require special permits or are entirely illegal.”

    Some popular modifications are:

    • Sighting upgrades.
    • Trigger modifications.
    • Aesthetic modifications.
    • Caliber conversion. (some Sig Sauer pistols)
    • Automatic conversion. (Glock switch)
    • Unauthorized suppressors.
    • High-capacity magazines.

    Opinions on firearms alteration may vary depending on who you ask. For example, a competitive shooter’s opinion may vary to that of law enforcement or military.

    THE INCIDENT AND INVESTIGATION

    We should all know that gun ownership and gun possession are generally governed by laws and regulations. As such, when there is a shooting incident law enforcement would refer to these laws and regulations to guide their investigations. Below are some legal considerations :

    • Was the firearm lawfully obtained and covered by a valid permit or license.
    • Was the user authorized to be in possession of the firearm at the time of its use.
    • Was the carrier under the influence of drink or drug or some other thing that impaired sound judgement.
    • Does the circumstances reflect a reasonable application of deadly force .
    • Was there a pre-meditated consideration to use deadly force.
    • And the state and capabilities of the firearm and ammunition used.

    The above considerations are just a few things that would be looked at during the initial investigative process. For the purpose of this discussion let us look at the last bullet point. “The state and capabilities of the firearm and ammunition”.

    At the beginning of the investigative process the firearm used in the incident would be confiscated by law enforcement for evaluation and may be used as evidence in court during prosecution. Some evaluations a firearm may undergo but not limited to are :

    • Confirmation of it’s make and model.
    • Its modifications, if any.
    • It’s serial number.
    • Its legality by way of being licensed.
    • It’s lands and grooves signature.
    • It’s striker or hammer nose signature.

    Having identified the definition and markers of firearms modification let’s apply it to “the incident” The incident occurs, you are detained during the preliminary investigation, the weapon is confiscated and sent for examination. The investigators believe there is sufficient evidence to institute legal proceedings against you for an offence. The prosecution presents the firearm in court to prove intent and your violent state of mind.

    You are before a judge and jury listening intently to the prosecution present it’s case. Your firearm is offered into evidence and is being described as heavily modified with reduced trigger resistance, upgraded sights for improved accuracy, fitted with an aftermarket magazine with increased ammunition capacity, and the words “sights, muzzle, pain” engraved on the slide.

    To the uninformed juror these modifications may appear excessive when compared to the firearm in its original state from the factory. One question that may come to mind is,” why modify a firearm that has been evaluated, tested, and permitted to be sold to the public by a manufacturer approved to do so?”. Another question may be, “what are the motivating factors for making these modifications?” In here lie that grey area where the prosecution may successfully establish a pre-meditated intent or a state of mind to “shoot someone.”

    The real and only valid question is, if as a firearms owner you are willing to be in such a situation described above, especially when there are other options. One option is to increase training time with your personal defense weapon and build capacity to respond to lethal threats effectively. If you are a competition shooter then only modify your competition weapon for that purpose and not integrate it into your personal defense weapon rotation.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, i must highlight i am not a lawyer or firearms manufacturer. However, my background is in firearms and survival tactics training for law enforcement and the public. I am directly involved in law enforcement, i have been involved and also investigated self defense shooting incidents with some being ventilated in the courts where the considerations mentioned above played a pivotal role in determining the outcome of court matters.

    As such, my humble opinion is that firearms users should develop their capacity to respond to threats effectively with their stock firearm. Also, in my opinion the only modification a firearm should have is a weapon light or laser for target acquisition in reduced lighting conditions and a red dot for establishing a quicker sight picture but only if the weapon slide is designed to accept one from the factory.

    I also believe magazines with increased capacities should be restricted for range use and training where continuous reloading isn’t necessary based on specific courses of fire. Modified triggers should also be restricted to competition shooting guns and not crossover into personal defense guns. modified hard sights are an acceptable modification as it is minimal and can improve shooting accuracy.

    At Hubris Tactical we encourage our clients to be proficient with their stock firearms with minimal modifications as described. Let’s face it, the trauma of navigating a self defense shooting incident followed by legal prosecution takes a toll both financially and emotionally. The impact on mental health, family structure and personal reputation can have negative results.

    CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO ON WEAPON MODIFICATION

    https://youtu.be/GTC1ZRzrz5Y?si=DGxAsmzN_7Ex2Rk

    The last thing any law abiding citizen need is to be portrayed as a reckless, mindless, gun toting violent individual for simply defending themselves or the life of another innocent person.

    Contact Hubris Tactical today to participate in our Firearms Training Program from Firearms level one all the way to Firearms instructor’s course. http://hubristactical.org. STAY SAFE AND KEEP TRAINING.

  • Firearms Ownership In The Caribbean.

    Being a licensed firearm owner during a State Of Emergency (SOE)

    THE SOE:

    On July 18th, 2025 a State of Emergency was declared in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. under The Emergency Powers Regulations 2025. As most persons may know or expect the activation of an SOE in any sovereign state is not a decision made without meticulous consideration and is expected to suppress any existing or impending threats to public safety. This declaration was supported by media and intelligence reports suggesting a grand scheme to destabilize that country by several gangs both in and outside of the legal justice system (JAIL). These reports further suggest these gangs have consolidated their resources to carry out strategic attacks on Government officials, Law enforcement and members of he legal fraternity.

    THE CONCERN:

    Firstly i would like to examine what does an SOE really mean. A State Of Emergency is a declaration made by a competent authority in response to an extraordinary situation that poses significant threat to public safety or stability of the state. With this being the case, it is reasonable to perceive the normal way of life relative to certain rights and privileges would be affected. It is also reasonable to predict that persons with authority would act within accordance of the Regulations. But any normal thinking person would also expect there would be unreasonable human rights violations and this is where being a firearms owner becomes a concern.

    THE DILEMMA:

    These regulations empower the authority to conduct searches and make arrests WITHOUT WARRANT in some cases acting only on information or intelligence. Any competent authority can use these regulations to achieve its goals (Section 13, 9 (1) (2). How do these powers affect the licensed firearms owner well, lets create a scenario. Lets say you’re walking along a busy street in the middle of the day going about your private lawful business whilst concealed carrying. Without warning you are approached by law enforcement or military, they say to you under the Emergency Regulations they have have information you are about to commit an offence and they intend to conduct a search of your person. Obviously knowing this to be inaccurate you politely respond by identifying yourself, indicating you are a licensed firearm holder and that you are concealed carrying, and of course produce your license to prove. Having done this the officials insist you are in possession of the firearm unlawfully and you are arrested. What comes next.

    THE TRAP IS SET:

    Now you’re arrested/detained on “enquiries/suspicion” what does the Emergency Regulation say about your rights. Well let’s just say “yuh goose cooked.” Under the Emergency Regulations 2025 you can be detained up to forty-eight hours in the first instance, “just enough time to contract Hepatitis B” and can be detained without charge. Even if you have not committed or have been charged with any crime but merely suspected of it. Or if a magistrate or senior police officer believe you pose a threat to public safety this detention can be extended up to seven days for the gathering of evidence etc…”more hepatitis.” You also cannot access bail if charged and where it is believed you may pose a threat to public safety. Well you may ask about a writ of habeas corpus. In this case filing for a writ is useless, not even a high court judge can grant one.

    THE SOLUTION:

    As a licensed firearms holder moving in the public space during an SOE becomes a little more concerning. Good judgement, reasonable thinking and discernment is required. In an environment where certain rights and liberties are restricted by authorities the responsibility is yours to protect yourself and your family from unjust treatment. This simply means always carry your firearms license in your possession on request from the authorities, conceal your firearm adequately so as not to draw unnecessary attention to yourself, do not make your firearm a conversation piece by showing it off in public, you never know whose looking or listening and do not brandish your firearm as a first response to a situation that can be resolved otherwise. If approached by law enforcement be polite and follow all their instructions. When and where possible take notes of all that was said to you and all that you said and did you never know how this information might help in the future. Most importantly, DO NOT RESIST follow all directives and go peacefully. It is better to be judged by twelve than to be carried by six. Last but not least enhance your overall self defense capabilities so that you would not only have to rely solely on a fiream for your personal safety.

    At Hubris Tactical we encourage our clients and membership to diversify their skillset with our use of force, mindset and survival tactics online lectures. We also encourage our team to participate in our personal defense training programs. At the end of it all you may not be able to carry your firearm everywhere you go, this is a reality even when there is no SOE in effect. Contact Hubris Tactical today at 868-348-8021 for information on our personal defense training programs. You can Google Hubris Tactical on Google, search Hubris Strategic on Facebook or visit our website at hubristactical.org Stay strong, HUBRIS STRONG

    https://youtu.be/dN6quXct2Xo?si=5H2HiHlMTGvx0bkh

  • Firearms Certificate of Competence?

    As the title suggests, a firearms Certificate of Competence is a document that confirms the ability of the firearm holder named therein to manipulate, use and control a firearm safely. But wait, does this document really prove this?

    Before we can make this assumption there are a few questions we must ask ourselves. For example, what are the established training standards? Are these standards universal? What does the training program look like by way of its content, does it effectively extract the competencies of the firearm holder or is it simply a course of fire that even the most incompetent firearm holder can achieve success. What about the qualifications, experience and competencies of the firearm instructors that administer these evaluations and certification. Is there an established standard for them as well and is there an entity that have complete oversight over the process and what regulations govern such an entity.

    These are important questions that one must consider when determining an appropriate standard for acquiring a Certificate of Competence. Recently in my jurisdiction the authorities enforced the aspect of the Firearms Act that governs the use of firearms. This enforcement came at” short notice” to most firearms users, although justified, it caught many licensed firearms users by surprise. With the new implementation of increased renewal fees along with other criteria for example the completion of a renewal forms, Medical Certificate of Fitness from a registered medical practitioner, and a Certificate of Character (which was later repealed.) Many firearms holders and instructors were unprepared for what came next.

    The confusion of what was acceptable and what was not plagued the process, leaving many firearms holders frustrated with some opting to relinquish their firearm altogether. The persons who were mostly affected were those in possession of multiple firearms. With the increased renewal fees coupled with misinformation and uncertainty some persons opted to forfeit some of their firearms. These were some of the negative impacts of the process.

    With anything else in life I guess there are both good and not so good outcomes. some of the more positive outcomes of the process were the authorities realized a necessity to improve the current process and began taking steps to make the necessary changes. The process also identified firearms users who were unfit to carry a firearm due to age and other physical and medical conditions. The process revealed persons who neglected to properly maintain their firearms rendering them useless causing a bit of embarrassment to the owners. Lastly it revealed the incompetencies of some firearms users and firearms instructors alike.

    Click the YouTube link below to see a Certificate of Competence being conducted by Hubris Tactical.

    https://www.hubristactical.org/certificateofcompetence

    Hubris Tactical continue to prove itself as the industry leader of innovation in the firearms and survival tactics training world. We utilize technology combined with tailored and tested training programs and industry leading training methods to deliver the highest quality of training to our clients. The qualifications, experience and expertise of the instructors at Hubris Tactical are unmatched. visit our website today at http://hubristactical.org or WhatsApp us at 868-348-8012 for tailored firearms training programs today.

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