The gun laws on SXM are very strict, especially for handguns. I have been in Law Enforcement for over 40 years, still am. I think everyone that can, should carry. No argument here.
Maybe some of the locals will chime in here about the strict gun laws, but a tourist would be at a great legal disadvantage should he have to use a weapon to protect himself, even if it is justified.
The prisons in SXM(or neighboring Islands) are nothing like the "Country Clubs" in the USA