Court rejects firearm bid

A SECURITY firm’s bid to review the revocation of its firearm licence has been rejected by a court because the matter is still under police investigation.
Kuima Security Services Limited had sought to review Police Commissioner David Manning’s decision to revoke its firearm licence after a violent incident at the Jackson Airport in Port Moresby.
The incident involved guards from Kuima and another security firm, Asila Security Services, that resulted in damages to airport properties as well as the discharge of gunshots.
Police are yet to complete investigations into who fired the shots and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation on March 22.
Manning, who is the registrar of firearms, also revoked Asila’s firearm licence.
Both companies were instructed to surrender all their now unlicensed firearms to police.
On Monday, Justice Nicholas Miviri dismissed an application by Kuima Security Services that sought to review Manning’s decision.
In a filed affidavit in the Waigani National Court, Kuima Security’s Willie Sine claimed that Asila guards allegedly discharged the gunshots during the fight.
Justice Miviri said that Commissioner Manning’s decision was justified as gunshots had been discharged in a public area and he was authorised under by the Firearms Act to act on behalf of public safety pending an investigation.
“The use of a firearm is not a light matter whether in the hands of Asila or Kuima,” Justice Miviri said.
“The lives of the travelling public and those who use that public facility were threatened.”
“It (airport) is not only used by local travellers, but also international travellers, therefore the injury is very real to all especially by those who profess to be guaranteeing safety (and) security.”