Man jailed for bringing gun to show

Carrying offensive weapons during public gathering or celebrations such as the recent Morobe Agricultural Show is dangerous because it puts the public in danger, a magistrate says.
Lae District Court senior magistrate Tera Dawai said this yesterday when sentencing a father of four to 12 months imprisonment for being in possession of an offensive weapon and live ammunition during the show.
Police report said that John Nomis, from Bulolo in Morobe, was in possession of a home-made pistol with a 5.56 millimetre bullet when police apprehended him last Sunday during the Morobe Show.
Dawai told Nomis that the show was a time for families to enjoy the activities and spend time together.
He said it was a time to have fun, learn new things and enjoy the moment with family and friends.
“You put the lives of all the people who were attending the event at risk,” he said.
“It is a home-made pistol which does not have a safety button or switch like state issue firearms.
“If trigger goes off by accident, an innocent person could get hurt or even die.
“You could also get yourself killed while firing such weapons.
“The court will sentence you to 12 months imprisonment, 6 months respectively for being in possession of an offensive weapon and in possession of live ammunition.”