GOVERNMENT TO STOP PROCESSING NEW GUN LICENCES FOR THREE MONTHS
Sir John Pundari said, “Police have already found and removed 3D-printed guns and gun parts from circulation in PNG. These weapons are made from plastic materials, but they can still fire live ammunition and are easy to conceal. Stronger laws are needed to help police address this threat and protect communities.”
THE Government plans to stop processing new gun licence applications for three months as part of efforts to control illegal firearms and improve public safety in Papua New Guinea.
Police and Internal Security Minister Sir John Pundari announced the plan on Tuesday, November 10. The starting date will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The three-month pause will give authorities time to strengthen checks before approving new gun licences.
“Public safety must guide the decisions about access to firearms,” Sir John says.
The moratorium will take place alongside the end of the current weapons amnesty, which allows people to surrender illegal firearms.
The Minister will also present changes to the Firearms Act to prevent civilians from owning military-grade and high-powered weapons.
The proposed changes will introduce heavy fines and jail terms for people who design, make or possess guns and gun parts produced using 3D printers.
Sir John says police have already found and removed 3D-printed guns and parts from circulation in PNG.
He explains that these weapons are made from plastic materials but can still fire live bullets and are easy to hide.
Stronger laws are needed to help police deal with this threat and protect communities, he says.
He stresses that everyone, including Government ministers and ordinary citizens, must follow the country’s firearms laws.
