OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has promised a "gun amnesty" for PNM MPs whenever the UNC returns to government.

Persad-Bissessar also said her controversial "light them up" advice to citizens to protect themselves against criminals was given with love.

She made these comments at a UNC cottage meeting in Arima on Thursday night.

Reiterating that the UNC would implement stand-your-ground laws and make access to legal firearms easier, Persad-Bissessar also said, "When we return to government, I will offer a gun amnesty to all the PNM MPs and commentators who have legal firearms so they can give it back."

She added, "I also urge all the weak men and women in positions of influence to give back your legal firearms, since they are against the citizens having legal firearms."

Repeating that she was unapologetic about her "light them up" and "matic" comments, Persad-Bissessar said, "When I come on this platform and tell the nation to 'light up the criminals'…that statement comes from a place of love."

She told UNC supporters family members would protect themselves against criminals out of love for one another.

On July 29, a female homeowner shot and killed an intruder at her Chaguanas home using her husband's licensed gun.

At a UNC meeting on July 31, referring to this incident, Persad-Bissessar said, "When the criminals invade your home, draw your licensed firearm and light them up! Empty the whole clip and reload too. Fight fire with fire."

At a subsequent meeting in San Fernando on August 3, she said, "You have to load up your (auto) 'matic and then knock it on them again and again."

Referring to her "matic" remarks, Persad-Bissessar alleged that a government official recently arranged to "go drop off their ‘matic’ at MOPS" (Multi-Operational Police Section).

She claimed the UNC knew all the people involved in this matter and the serial number of the alleged weapon as well.

"We are just waiting."

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