PNG Police Minister Defends Firearms Amnesty as Moral Duty to Save Lives

Papua New Guinea Police Minister Sir John Pundari has defended the Marape-Rosso Government’s National Firearms Amnesty and Buy-Back Program, saying the initiative is a moral responsibility aimed at saving lives in violence-torn communities.

 PNG Police Minister Defends Firearms Amnesty as Moral Duty to Save Lives

Sir John was responding to criticism from Deputy Opposition Leader Keith Iduhu, who questioned the ethics of using public funds to purchase illegal firearms from civilians.

The Minister said while critics were debating policy frameworks in Port Moresby, families in Enga, Hela and other Highlands provinces were living in fear of high-powered weapons fueling tribal conflicts. He said leaders who had witnessed the impact of gun violence firsthand understood the urgency of immediate intervention.

Addressing concerns over ethics, Sir John said the greater moral question was whether it was right to allow bloodshed to continue in the name of principle. He argued that conventional police operations to seize weapons were costly, dangerous and often resulted in casualties among officers and civilians.

He rejected claims that the program amounted to rewarding criminals, saying it instead focused on disengaging vulnerable youths who had turned to firearms due to a lack of economic opportunities. By exchanging weapons for financial assistance, he said, the Government aimed to redirect families toward agriculture and small business activities.

Sir John also dismissed assertions that the Government was ignoring recommendations from the 2005 Singirok Report, stating that lasting reforms could not be implemented while communities remained in active conflict. He described the 21-day amnesty as a trigger for broader reforms rather than a substitute for long-term measures.

“The Opposition says ‘Nogat’ to this solution, but they offer no immediate alternative to stop the killing today. This Government says YES to peace, YES to pragmatism, and YES to a safer future for our children,” Sir John said.