Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell said yesterday he and the minister of national security are personally armed with police issued firearms.
"As a minister of national security it would not only be prudent, but it would be unwise for a minister who has to...make critical decisions which deal with life to not be armed given the serious business and nature and decisions that he has to make," said Bell via telephone.
The acknowledgement came after Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said at a press conference yesterday that he had heard reports that the ministers were personally armed with weapons.
Bell said, "Under the Firearms Act, the firearms licensing officer is the commissioner of police who has a discretion to issue a firearms license and issue firearms to who he deems fit and proper."
"He (Nottage) has a gun and he deserves to be armed at all times given the nature of the decisions he makes," Bell said.
He continued, "As a former chief superintendent of police in the Royal Bahamas Police Force I have always had a firearm. The issue of whether or not I have been armed with a firearm or whether I have a firearm in my possession is in my humble opinion showing that FNM is grasping for straws.
"But I would want them (the FNM) to know that if the need arises I am there to protect them and their families as I have done in the past and I will continue to do in the future."
Bell said the question of whether a minister has a firearm is irrelevant.
"The question here is not so much that the minister has a firearm or not, but whether we as a country are serious about security and whether when we put people in these positions we want to ensure their welfare and that of their families."
Former Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest told reporters yesterday that he never carried a firearm as minister and questioned why Bell would.

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