Call for gun control committee

EAST Sepik Governor Alan Bird wants the Government to set up a Parliamentary committee to address gun control issues.
At the recent Parliament debate on gun control issues, Bird urged the Speaker to set up the committee to also oversee the work of police.
“We must not talk only, we must act,” he said.
“Let us fund a committee and get it out there and solve problems and gain confidence of our people (on law and order).
“The ministers for police, defence and, law and justice need to be answerable to Parliament.
“We are the Government and we have the will power to execute people.
“Let us ensure that ordinary Papua New Guineans know that if they threaten the lives of others, the Government will act decisively.
“That’s what the citizens want, let us give it to them.”
Lands and Physical Planning Minister John Rosso said law enforcement was lacking. “We need a good committee to put our heads together, to help our people so that we can be a gun-free nation where everyone can feel safer.”
Finance and Rural Development Minister Rainbo Paita said Papua New Guinea was heading towards “a very dangerous trend with gun issues and the tougher laws are needed”.
“One of the penalties of owning an illegal firearm is the death penalty,” he said.
“The people must be reminded constantly.
“These are drastic times and drastic measures must be put in place.”
Kompiam-Ambum MP Sir John Pundari said the Government must address the illegal firearm issues first before considering licensing issues.
“Don’t take the gun licences away from those who own it legally.
“Address the illegal ones and then consider the legal firearms.
“If we are not careful and aggressively deal with it now, we will lose our country, not only through social disorder, but civil wars.”
National Planning and Monitoring Minister Sam Basil said the laws needed to be amended to address gun issues.
“We have to strengthen the firearm licensing office of the Police Department,” he said.
“We must ensure that all firearm owners have a National Identity Department (NID) card. And their bio data must be complete and kept by police for recording, monitoring and performance.
“They should be banned for life if they are found to have abused the use of their firearm.”