PNG on track to crack down on crimes involving firearms

Papua New Guinea is on the right track to crack down on crimes involving the use of firearms, permanent parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and defence chairman Salio Waipo says.
“It is pleasing to note that Papua New Guinea is on the right path by passing the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2018 and Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2018 with the view to imposing tough penalties on petty crimes,” he said.
Waipo presented the committee’s report in parliament yestrday.
“The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons continue to be a very serious problem for a number of countries in the Pacific region including Papua New Guinea,” Waipo said. “The negative impact of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons not only lead to loss of lives and serious injuries but it also negatively impacts the achievements of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.”
Waipo said that Papua New Guinea, like other countries in the Pacific region, was committed to fulfilling the Pacific Vision of a stable, peaceful and safe region for all members of the society.
The vision could be achieved by continuing to cooperate at the sub-regional-regional and international level to facilitate the implementing of United Nations programme of action on small arms and light weapons, including the ratifying of the Arms Trade Treaty.