VZCZCXRO1055
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #1543 2481137
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051137Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3217
INFO RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA PRIORITY 0171

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001543 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PM/DDTC FOR REBECCA VALERIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC KOMC GJ XL
SUBJECT: GRENADA - BLUE LANTERN ON LICENSE 05-1001037 FOR 
MATTHEW DOPWELL 
 
REF: STATE 99016 
 
¶1.  (U)  Post was unable to conduct a site visit to Grenada 
but gathered information on the end user via telephone and 
email.  (Note:  Embassy Grenada is a one-officer post and at 
present no American is stationed there.  Thus, Embassy 
Bridgetown has taken responsibility for this Blue Lantern 
Check.  End note.)  Post did not uncover any derogatory 
information on Matthew Dopwell, and he appears to be a 
legitimate firearm retailer. 
 
¶2.  (U)  The end user's first license was granted on August 
15, 1985, and renewed on February 8, 2002, which is valid for 
five years.  The business is owned by Matthew Dopwell and his 
brother, Donald Dopwell, who is a junior partner.  According 
to Matthew Dopwell, the firearms sales in Grenada is small in 
comparison to his main business, Dopco Ltd.  Dopco Ltd was 
registered in June 1995 and is currently located in Grand 
Anse.  The directors of Dopco Ltd include Matthew Dopwell, 
his brother Donald Dopwell, and Daphne Belmar.  Primary 
customers include business owners, farmers, hunters 
associations, security firms and the Grenada Gun and Rifle 
Association.  Dopco is not in the export business. 
 
¶3.  (U)  The Grenada Gun and Rifle Association and some 
hunting associations regularly buy ammunition from Dopco. 
Firearm licenses are usually restricted to one of each type 
per person while ammunition is restricted to amounts 
determined by the police.  Dopco is the larger of the two 
firearms dealers on the island, with regular clients who 
typically purchase approx. 50 rounds, twice a year. 
 
¶4.  (U)  All stock are stored by the police, with the 
exception of demonstration products issued to Matthew Dopwell 
for the purpose of sales and marketing.  These demonstration 
products are stored in a safe at Dopwell's home until 
returned to the police.  Matthew Dopwell is licensed to use 
his Glock .380 and 12 gauge shotgun.  Matthew Dopwell's 
property is additionally protected by guard dogs. 
 
¶5.  (U)  Matthew Dopwell keeps records of all firearms 
issued, which include date of issue, caliber, serial number, 
type, model, and name and address of the customer.  The 
police also keep a record of all issued firearms.  In 
addition, the Commissioner of Police approved Dopco as a 
licensed firearm dealer to import and sell firearms in 
Grenada.  Grenadian authorities conducted a thorough 
background search before issuing this license. 
 
¶6.  (U)  All firearms and ammunition shipped to Grenada must 
be met on arrival by the police and remain in their custody 
until issued.  The licensing process in Grenada requires that 
all end users apply to the Commissioner of Police in writing, 
with photographs.  An investigation and report soon follow. 
The applicant is informed in writing when the application has 
been approved, at which time the end user has to pay the 
license fee and pick up the issued firearm from police 
storage.  Dopco has a specific import license for the items 
they plan to import from the U.S., which was submitted along 
with its application.  The quantities listed are not intended 
for one order or shipment, but will be purchased and shipped 
as needed, in accordance with what is authorized under 
Dopco's license. 
 
¶7.  (U)  Grenada is not a country with a high level of gun 
crimes.  However, many property owners became accustomed to 
having a licensed firearm for their protection, particularly 
after Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada in 2004 and left many 
small businesses vulnerable to looting.  Such looting 
resulted in increased sales in handguns.  Groups promoting 
the recreational use of firearms include four hunting 
associations and the Grenada Gun and Rifle Association. 
Matthew Dopwell also asserts that gun-related crimes are 
committed with illegally imported firearms in Grenada, not 
with his licensed firearms. 
KRAMER