The Premier has responded to criticism that he should be focusing on gun violence and not gaming.

The Opposition has called on Ewart Brown to "drop his push for gaming" following last week's Parliamentary debate on the issue, in which only three PLP MPs expressed their support.

The House of Assembly debate on the Green Paper for Gaming in Bermuda took place two days after the fourth gun murder of 2010, leading many Opposition and Government MPs to voice criticism of the Premier's timing.

Jamaican national George Lynch was shot outside a house in Midland Heights Crescent, Hamilton Parish, on May 5 the latest victim of the growing gang violence plaguing the Island.

Friday's House of Assembly session was dedicated to the issue of gaming, in order for all MPs to express their views on whether Bermuda's gambling laws should be relaxed.

The debate carried on late into the night and saw 14 Government MPs speak out against the proposals, with some even echoing the Opposition's calls for a referendum on the subject.

Among the critics, PLP backbencher and former Premier Alex Scott said the House should instead be discussing gang violence.

"Our young people are killing each other. That is what this House should be engaged in," he said.

Fellow Government backbencher Dennis Lister added there were "more important issues" at hand.

He said: "This is clearly not the issue we should have been speaking to right now.

"It is clear where the community is. We are facing young men killing each other.

"If we solve people killing each other in the next eight weeks then bring it back."

This week, Opposition Deputy Leader Trevor Moniz then said: "The United Bermuda Party expects the Premier to focus his Government's attention on pressing national concerns such as gun violence and economic dislocation, and to drop his push for gaming.

"There is obviously no Parliamentary support or popular groundswell of support for the gaming initiative at this time, let alone for a referendum on the matter.

"It is incredible to us that this issue, powered by a significant investment in time, money and political capital, remained at the top of the Government's agenda, with the Island facing what we consider to be the most serious of threats to our way of life the onslaught of gang-related gun violence."

The Premier however responded: "As Minister of Tourism and Transport, I have an obligation to present what I believe are the best ways to improve our tourism product. I believe that gaming would provide an added amenity for our visitors, generate up to 3,000 jobs and add $146 million to our economy.

"Whether popular a stance or not, I believe that it is important, not only for us to examine all options, but to have open, frank and mature discussions on those options.

"While I had hoped the Green Paper on Gaming would find favour with Members of Parliament this was not to be.

"Many Bermudians see gaming as an acceptable form of entertainment for adults. Many also believe that the introduction of gaming could mean more jobs and more money flowing into our economy. Some do not.

"Despite this, we will continue to move forward with the Government's agenda and will continue to use the customary mechanism of bringing bills to the House. Any bill that does not secure the support of the Caucus will not be brought to Parliament."

Dr. Brown insisted Government was addressing the rise in gun violence.

"Over the past few months, as the issue of gaming was being discussed, we were also arming the Bermuda Police Service with Tasers, making FutureCare available to over two-thirds of our seniors, unveiling our Blueprint on Education, fighting to protect our multi-million dollar Aircraft Registry from interference by the UK, signing TIEAs with Portugal, Bahrain and China, introducing WestJet as our latest air carrier partner, and launching our waiver assistance programme," he said.

"This is just a brief summary of some of the many initiatives that this Government has produced over the past few months as we work for the people of Bermuda."