By JAMES APA GUMUNO
GUN-related problems in the country will continue to stay unless the National Government introduces a “buy-back gun policy” or impose death penalty in the country.
Dokta Puk, who claimed to represent 100 criminals and ordinary villagers with guns in the Western Highlands province, who are willing to come out with their guns to assist police in the province, said the current laws were too lenient.
Mr Puk said unless the National Government imposed death penalty on any offender using guns to commit crimes then criminals would think twice.
He said criminals and those that own guns would be willing to hand over their guns if the Government was willing to buy them back.
He said many crimes committed in the province and the country was through the use of illegal guns in the hands of criminals.
He said his group known as SAFE – Secure A Free Environment – would only surrender their weapons if tough penalties like death or the “buy-back gun policy” was imposed.
Mr Puk said past and present police ministers together with the minister for justice were not thinking hard as to how they would deal with the escalating criminal activities in the country.
He added that his group was willing to surrender their guns and come forward to help Mt Hagen city maintain law and order.
He said they (SAFE) needed support from the provincial government and the seven local Open MPs.