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Guns uproar
By DAVID KAPI
PAPUA New Guinea is no longer safe for its
citizens as the guns culture is taking root in our society.
This sentiment was echoed by representatives from different sectors of
society and agencies that fight guns-relates issues, during the
launching of anti-gun campaign initiative known as Coalition to Stop
Guns Violence at CDI House in Port Moresby yesterday.
The National Guns Control Committee member John ToGuata from the
Ombudsman Commission said the Government and the politicians had not
taken the guns issue seriously because they failed to table the
completed review and recommendations of a summit held in April 2005. The
committee’s work was spearheaded by Goroka MP Bire Kimisopa, then the
Police Minister.
Mr ToGuata said millions of kina had been spent on preparing this
report, which was collecting dust in the Parliament House without any
action being taken to implement its recommendations.
He said the report provided 244 recommendations, highlighting the
problems of guns and the havoc it caused in the communities, and what
actions to take.
He expressed bitter disappointment that nothing was done.
“Yet, some politicians were now arguing for a delay of the national
elections because of guns and the problems they are going to cause.
“What have they been doing all this time as mandated leaders, who are
supposed to discuses issues such as this?” he asked.
“I cannot understand why the guns report cannot be tabled and discussed
through open forum to come up with strategies to stop our country from
becoming a lawless society,” Mr ToGuata said.
“The problem needed urgent attention and politicians showed no urgency
to an issue that would threaten the core of our society,” he said.
Observers noted that it was probably too late, as the 7th Parliament
would rise today for the general elections. The writs are due to be
issued on Friday by the Governor-General.
Archbishop of Port Moresby Sir Brian Barnes, an outspoken voice against
violence and corruption, also shared Mr ToGuata’s concerns.
Bishop Barnes said issues such as the guns problem was more important
than fighting over positions or power in the Parliament, as it was
affecting the very lives of the innocent citizens of Papua New Guinea.
He predicted that the trend was soon going to get out of hand.
He urged everyone to cooperate and work together to say ‘no’ to
guns-relates violence for the sake of the country’s prosperity and
development.
The aim of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence is to reduce demand for
guns by addressing the causes of insecurity, reduce the availability of
guns through enforcement of existing laws, and, assist victims recover
from physical and mental traumas.
The coalition is made up of Caritas, Catholic Bishops Conference, Oxfam
International, Tari Civil Society Group, and Kup Women for Peace, among
others.
 
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