The San Juan Business Association is calling on Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert to explain to the national community why between the period January 1 and September 15 only 215 firearm licences were issued. This represented five per cent of those who applied, the association said.

Of that five per cent, 144, or 67 per cent, were issued to non-nationals, the business group added.

’It is amazing that firearm licences are being issued to non-nationals who do not have a command of the English language. It is also amazing that businessmen and women who legitimately seek to protect their interests and their property are being denied the right so to do in an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment,’ the business group said in a statement on Saturday.

’The SJBA is calling on the Acting Commissioner of Police to inform the business community why so may of our members are not meeting the requirement for firearm licences and instruct us as to what can be done to correct this situation.’