PNG Police Commissioner Manning wants to buy back Guns
Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner David Manning wants to implement a “gun buyback scheme” to ease the proliferation of illegal firearms within Papua New Guinea.
Commissioner Manning made this comment following the ongoing use of firearms in tribal fights in various parts of PNG and in many of the serious crimes committed to date.
The Police Commissioner says about 80 per cent of the serious crimes in PNG including murder and armed robbery, are committed with some form of firearm, whether home or factory made, adding firearms were used in the recent killing of policemen in Enga, Hela, Milne Bay and quite recently in Porgera.
Manning says whilst people may argue against a gun buyback scheme, he strongly believes that this is the best option available right now to remove a large number of illegal firearms from communities.
He noted firearms were illegally obtained by various communities to defend themselves against their tribal enemies, saying up in the highlands firearms remain the prized possession of many tribes.
However, in recent times many of these firearms have been used in criminal activities and hired out to others as well.
Therefore, the Commissioner says if we are serious about getting rid of firearms from within our communities the gun buy-back scheme is the best way forward.
Manning will put a proposal to the Government through the Police Minister, offering a three month nationwide guns amnesty during which a massive national awareness campaign will be initiated.
All guns surrendered within the amnesty period will be bought by the government.
No criminal action will be taken against anyone who surrenders their illegal firearms within the amnesty period.
FM 100 / PNG Today
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Commissioner Manning made this comment following the ongoing use of firearms in tribal fights in various parts of PNG and in many of the serious crimes committed to date.
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| Possession of Illegal guns in PNG is a concern |
Manning says whilst people may argue against a gun buyback scheme, he strongly believes that this is the best option available right now to remove a large number of illegal firearms from communities.
He noted firearms were illegally obtained by various communities to defend themselves against their tribal enemies, saying up in the highlands firearms remain the prized possession of many tribes.
However, in recent times many of these firearms have been used in criminal activities and hired out to others as well.
Therefore, the Commissioner says if we are serious about getting rid of firearms from within our communities the gun buy-back scheme is the best way forward.
Manning will put a proposal to the Government through the Police Minister, offering a three month nationwide guns amnesty during which a massive national awareness campaign will be initiated.
All guns surrendered within the amnesty period will be bought by the government.
No criminal action will be taken against anyone who surrenders their illegal firearms within the amnesty period.
FM 100 / PNG Today
next :
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