PNG Parliament Passes Tougher Laws on Firearms ownership

The Papua New Guinea Parliament has passed tougher gun laws to address the uncontrolled usage and ownership of firearms in the country. 

Surrendered guns in Hela Province 

Prime Minister James Marape tabled the Firearms Amendment Bill 2022 in Parliament on Thursday, which was unanimously supported by members on both sides of the House. 

The new penalties include a fine not exceeding K10-thousand or life imprisonment for unlawful possession of firearms. 

Mr Marape says the most prevalent unlawful activities that give rise to firearm-related issues prompted the government to regulate and control the licensing and usage of firearms, especially during the election period. 

''Consistent with the prevalent activities related to the fire-arms our government proposes further to increase the penalties. 

''Life imprisonment has the maximum penalty for the following unlawful activities under the Firearms Act;-namely manufacturing of homemade guns,  Section 7A, illegal ownership and possession of fire-arms Section 6, illegal possession and use of firearms Section 7,      illegal possession of prohibited fire-arms Section 5 and ownership and possession of machine guns Section 62,'' Marape outlined. 

NBC New / PNG Today

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