The Government is preparing to hit hard at gun carriers after its firearms amnesty runs out.

Penalties being discussed include mandatory prison sentences of ten years for firearms possession and life for conspiring to import firearms.

The "severe'' package has been in the works in recent weeks as Cabinet struggles to put a lid on a gun problem considered a mortal threat to the Island.

It is one aspect of an overall crime review that has taken precedence over all other issues before the Cabinet.

To signal the Government's concern, the Premier will make a statement on crime when Parliament opens this Friday.

The Hon. Sir John Swan said last night his statement would reflect Government's "grave concern about the level of crime and the manner of the crime being committed''.

Friday's statement would also convey his Government's hopes of working with the community to achieve greater results in crime detection and interdiction.

Sir John's statement follows Sunday's shock shooting of two men at the Spinning Wheel Night Club.

On Monday, the Premier announced plans for a firearms amnesty which would go into effect in the next few weeks.

One Government source said of the planned gun crackdown: "The message will be that Bermuda does not want guns and that anyone who has one will be subjected to the severest penalties and that their neighbours will tell on them.'' One of the ideas mooted by ministers is the creation of a pool of money for information on firearms and drug dealers that would disburse "substantial'' rewards.

Government began focussing on the crime problem in recent weeks after a summer that saw an alarming number of tourists targeted by burglars and thieves.

Home Affairs Minister, the Hon. Irving Pearman, said on Monday that the Government and Government House were "working very closely on the issue of crime and policing.

"I am meeting frequently with the acting Commissioner of Police and I've come back from a meeting at Government House.

"It is the commitment of this Government to give the resources needed to ensure that crime and violent crime in particular is dealt with.'' One minister said an overall plan was taking shape that would see measures brought in for short-term and long-term effects.

Harsher post-amnesty penalties and immediate support for Police would make up the short-term package.

In the longer term, there are discussions about bringing more rigorous anti-crime programmes into the schools and revamping the Police Force.

Ideas include de-Policing the Civil Air Terminal to free up about 12 officers.

Another possibility is filling Police administrative positions with civilians.

However, it is believed a Management Services review of the scheme has concluded it would be too expensive. There is also concern that a civilian administration in the Police Force is "fraught with danger''.

It is not clear whether Government action would include adding more personnel to the Police Force, which has seen its numbers chopped in recent years from a legislated ceiling of 489 to its current roster of just under 430.

Ministers have indicated they are satisfied the Police are doing their job of catching law-breakers.

On Monday, Mr. Pearman voiced a view that seems to represent his Cabinet colleagues when he said Police were having "quite a good success rate in apprehending people involved'' in violent crime.