Judge warns about gun control

A pistol is a dangerous weapon and people in possession of one should take extreme care, Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika says.
Sir Gibbs gave the general caution in the Waigani National Court yesterday when refusing bail for a lawyer and businessman charged with the murder of his wife in Port Moresby last month.
Felix Kange, 30, from Maia village in Pangia, Southern Highlands, is alleged to have shot his wife Regina Morove at their home in Garden Hills, Port Moresby.
Sir Gibbs said it was in the best interest of justice that Kange remained in custody while attending court hearings.
He informed a packed courtroom that the court had fully considered the circumstances warranting bail but was fully satisfied that Kange be refused bail.
Sir Gibbs said Kange’s conduct indicated that something was not right and suggested there was carelessness or negligence in the handling of the pistol.
“While the matter has been said to be fully investigated by the police, there are some aspects of the actions of the applicant that requires careful investigation,” he said.
Sir Gibbs said he considered the manner in which Kange was handling the pistol to be rather strange.
Kange was alleged to have shot Morove in the mouth.
Meanwhile, Kange will be appearing in the Waigani Committal Court for his first mention on Thursday after his lawyer was granted an adjournment yesterday.
Kange was charged with manslaughter on June 4.
That charge was changed to murder this week.