The Island has yet to see the worst in regards to the gun violence — and it could morph from a hurricane to a tsunami between this generation to the next.

Government backbencher Randy Horton, who heads the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on crime, told MPs on Friday that the committee had given him the chance to work with specialists on crime and members of the public to determine causes and solutions to crime. "One thing that stuck with me more than anything else (from the meetings) is we had one of our first presenters that came. He said to the group 'if you think this wave of youth are bad look out for the next wave'.

"'This wave maybe is a hurricane but the next wave may be a tsunami' and I said that is a serious indictment over where we are. It's a recognition of the importance of us to be dealing with it on the front end."

During the House session, Mr Horton said parents needed to learn to spot the signs their child may be getting involved with gang activity early. He also said that combating crime would solve other issues like low tourism numbers and the departure of some international businesses. "If we can say we have safety in our community then we can see it comes much easier for people to say they will come and take a vacation to Bermuda. One of the reasons people came to Bermuda is because we were a safe destination. Indeed also I believe many businesses have set up in Bermuda because in addition to an outstanding regulatory structure, they see it as a safe place to be.

"We all know the risk to business development is a result of the increase in violence and gun crime in our society. Many speakers have touched on this matter of violence and crime."

Shadow Tourism Minister Cole Simons said the Department of Tourism's mandate should be to make Bermuda a competitive destination.

In order to do so, it must sit down with all the brain power and resources to revive the tourism industry on the Island, he said while advocating for a Tourism Authority.

He said the Department should create a master tourism plan and ensure it was getting the best value for money in terms of airline carriers as that was the "key" to bringing people to the Island. "Tourists, visitors, travellers they look at the price first. Once they determine their price for the airline then will they learn about the accommodation and activities at the destination," he said.

Zane DeSilva, Health Minister, chimed in to say the Island already had low-cost carriers. "You can get a ticket (to North America) for $45 each way and he is complaining," he said.

Mr. Simons said Government should look into creative ways to develop the industry and suggested retirement villages for wealthy baby boomers looking to live in a warm climate.

Meanwhile, PLP backbencher Ashfield DeVent said the Island's young people were lacking discipline in the level of service they provided, time keeping and sporting activities.

When he was growing up he said things like water conservation and picking up litter were expected of people and it was important to re-instill those habits which used to be basic to Bermuda survival. He also said young people, notably on the sports field, had been let off with too many slaps on the wrist for infractions such as cursing at referees and fighting — and as a result the behaviour had got worse.

According to Mr. DeVent the problems of gun crime and gang violence developed "during a period of time of neglect and indiscipline. I do believe we can teach it and turn it around and I know some of the solutions are not simple, but some are".