Posted on 22 April 2024
In a decisive move to curb the escalating gun violence, Papua New Guinea is contemplating a comprehensive gun ban. A recent multilateral conference, supported by the United Nations and the European Union, has been convened to develop a robust government policy aimed at reducing the widespread use of firearms. This initiative marks the first significant effort to address the proliferation of small arms across the nation. The conference has brought together experts from various sectors, including the PNG Defence Force and other disciplinary forces, to strategize on controlling the rampant distribution and use of rifles and pistols throughout PNG’s provinces.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the tragic massacre of 60 people in the Wapenamanda district of Enga Province earlier this year, which drew international condemnation and intensified domestic pressure on the government to act. Among the attendees of the conference is Koroba Kopiago MP William Bando, who, having been personally affected by gun violence, is a staunch advocate for immediate government intervention. The conference also revisits the recommendations of a 2005 gun control report authored by former PNGDF commander Jerry Singirok, which called for a public gun ownership ban and the establishment of gun control committees—proposals that have yet to be enacted. With PNG ranking second globally for gun crime, according to the Global Organized Crime Index, the need for political will and decisive action has never been more critical.
Source: RNZ
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