Firearms

He said individuals found guilty will be charged under the recently amended Firearms Act 2022 urging the public to “seriously question their character and integrity”.

“Those candidates who feel the need to carry firearms and move around, I can say that they have no place in the election.

 “We will not take this matter lightly. If it means they spend time in jail waiting for bail during this election period”, he added.  

“I believe that we should not be running election with guns, but in certain part of the country we would use force to control the crowd and protect our citizens to exercise their democratic rights,” Minister Onglo said.

He said this when referring to yesterday’s Post-Courier front page, stating that police were yet to purchase firearms for security operations as per a police procurement process.

Pang was slapped with a total of 11 charges, three charges for being in possession of firearm without license, two charges for possession of firearm and six charges for possession of live ammunition.

Magistrate Garry Unjo read his charges at the Boroko District Court this morning, where the accused admitted guilty to all charges.

On Tuesday, 16^th of November, the Special Operation Saki Bomb consisting of RPNG and PNG Customs raided the hotel where they discovered a mini Methamphetamine lab and several firearms and ammunitions.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has announced that the National Executive Council has formally endorsed amendments to the Firearms Act that will increase penalties for offenders, and will work with the Government's commitment to modernise the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

In making the announcement, the Prime Minister said there is no excuse for the illegal use of firearms, so criminals caught with weapons will be sentenced to long periods in jail and pay a significant amount of money in fines.

Kalaut tells PNG Loop that he will be drafting directions to carry out a stock take of the Metropolitan command’s armoury..

He says that in this way they will account for all police issued weapons on hand.

He says that disciplinary action pending an investigation will be carried out on any personnel who cannot account for his or her issued firearm.

Kalaut assures that this audit is among measures taken to ensure that the command can account for all their logistics on hand as well as re-establish the chain of command among their rank and file.