The idea of a specialised gun court, mooted by Government MP Wayne Perinchief, is not unprecedented in the region.

Mr. Perinchief suggested this weekend that Bermuda should set up a special judge-only court to deal with firearms offences, as jurors seem reluctant to convict armed criminals.

Jamaica, which has a far higher gun murder rate than Bermuda, established a gun court in 1974 to combat rising gun violence.

It is empowered to try suspects in camera, closed to the public and press, and without a jury. All offences involving possession or use of a firearm go to that court, except for murder and treason which must still be tried by jury.

The court initially had no provision for bail, either pretrial or during appeal, although that was changed in 1983 after a legal challenge. Most offences carry a single, mandatory sentence of indefinite imprisonment with hard labour.

The long sentences of the court and its restrictions on the rights of the accused have given rise to constitutional challenges, some of which have been appealed to the Privy Council in London. These cases have resulted in some modifications to the court, but have upheld it on the whole.

The gun court system has also been the target of criticism because of its lengthy delay in hearing cases, and the continuing rise in gun violence since its adoption.

Bermuda had six murders in 2009. Five of them were shootings, and no-one has been charged in connection with any of those.

The uprise in gun violence last year gave Bermuda a per capita murder rate of 9.2 per 100,000 people higher than London, New York and the global average. However, the statistics are still lower than Jamaica (61.4 per 100,000), Trinidad and Tobago (36.5) and the Bahamas (24.4.)

Mr. Perinchief did not state exactly how he would like to see a gun court run in Bermuda and did not return calls for further comment yesterday. John Barritt, the United Bermuda Party shadow minister for Legislative Reform and Justice, noted that the Jamaican model is "pretty damn draconian, but a clear message nonetheless".

However, he added: "There were and have been serious constitutional challenges over the years in Jamaica which will need to be taken into account should we want to pursue anything similar here in Bermuda.

"For instance, I would be loath to suggest trials in camera, closed to press and public. There is also not much point in advocating and setting up something which won't stand up to constitutional challenge and judicial scrutiny.

"But that is no reason why we should not be examining what we could put in place here in Bermuda and I hope that Mr. Perinchief's voice will help give some further impetus to such examination and reform."