Life imprisonment, K1m fine for firearms offences soon

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

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Life imprisonment, K1m fine for firearms offences soon

PORT MORESBY: Those convicted under the Firearms Act will soon be jailed for life or fined K1 million when the act is amended to give it more bite or heavier penalties, Attorney-General Dr Eric Kwa says.

“The amendments are expected to be tabled in Parliament soon. The legislative amendment was directed by Prime Minister James Marape given the illegal use of guns in the country,” he added.

The news break was reported by The National:

Govt reviews firearms Act

April 1, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By CLARISSA MOI
PEOPLE convicted of firearm-related offences are likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment, or fined K1 million, in a proposed amendment to the Firearms Act, says Attorney-General Dr Eric Kwa.
The amendment is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon.
Kwa told The National yesterday that the legislative amendment was directed by Prime Minister James Marape, given the illegal use of guns in the country. “What we did was increase the penalty,” he said.
“We didn’t change the actual offences. The highest penalty under this amendment would be life imprisonment.
“That’s for those who produce firearms.”
Kwa said people previously convicted of such offences would serve two years imprisonment.
“Now it’s life imprisonment,” he said.
Kwa said they wanted to propose that only members of the shooting club should hold a gun licence “but unfortunately we also have people in the country who use guns for hunting”.
“So if you are talking about a person buying gun for hunting, it will be difficult for him to be a member of a shooting club,” he said.
“And then it might be that we are getting those who can afford to be a member of a club to hold weapons.
“That becomes a disincentive as well.”
Justice Minister Bryan Kramer said the National Executive Council (NEC) approved the proposed amendments last week.
“It’s being referred to the legislative counsel to finalise the final draft of the bill.
“It will come back to NEC.”
Kramer said they were discussing “how to regulate the firearm industry”.
He said unlike getting a driving licence where one was required to get three to six months’ training, there was no such regulation nor training required when it came to getting a firearm licence.
“We are proposing that those who have a firearm must be a member of a firearm club and be annually certified by the firearm club to be confident (in carrying) or being in possession of a firearm.
“The only issue now is how we prevent incidents from occurring. We need to put in regulation to protect the public and those in possession of firearms.”

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