We had some unity in the L.A. when our legislators voted ‘yes’ to allow security guards to wear bulletproof vests, use handcuffs, pepper spray and have access to equip themselves with and use batons. I was under the impression it was legal for anyone to wear a bulletproof vest so it was with some surprise I learnt it wasn’t.

The thorny question of whether to allow some security guards to be trained and licensed to have access to firearms was dealt with by an amendment to the original proposal by PPM member for George Town, ex-leader Kurt Tibbetts that included this. The government removed it from the motion.

I can understand the dilemma our legislators have with arming members of the general public. If some trained guards have guns, our armed robbers could shoot at sight all guards ‘just in case’. However, if no guards are allowed to be armed the advantage lies squarely with the robbers. Pointing a can of pepper spray at someone with a gun, waving a baton at him or showing him a pair of handcuffs is no deterrent.

So what is the answer? Quite frankly, I’m still of the opinion arming some private individuals is no solution. You either give the right to arm everybody or no one.

I do agree with the amendment to do away with the sole power of the Police Commissioner to decide who gets a firearm. There is safety in numbers. I would welcome his view on the amendment in case I have missed something in my opinion but he has not made a public statement on the subject.

Virgin Produced, the film and TV development company owned by Richard Branson are to receive a proposal from Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) to discuss ways the company can be involved in the Cayman Islands’ new Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Cayman Enterprise City, comprising of Cayman Commodities Park, Cayman Internet Park, Cayman Biotech Park, Cayman International Academic Park, and Cayman Media Park is being developed in three phases. International businesses that establish themselves within the SEZ will benefit from 100% exemption from income, corporate and capital gains taxes. There will be no foreign ownership restrictions, reduced, flat-rate work permit fees and efficient registration and licensing, with protection of intellectual property.

It all sounds promising and the two sites currently under consideration for the final CEC location itself are somewhere east of George Town although not as far as East End. This should be on the puzzle page. The architect is Cindy O’Hara of Design Cayman and a master plan has been completed.

We should all get behind this project and, whether it is unpalatable or not, and yes, it doesn’t seem fair, we need people, we need more businesses, we need more construction, and if we have to give prospective tenants tax concessions so be it. We will benefit from it if it goes ahead. I have to ask the detractors what benefit is there if it doesn’t?