Samoa's parliament has postponed the passing of the new Police Powers bill. This follows a motion asking to extend the time to review controversial provisions of the proposed legislation. The bills committee chairman, MP Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, has told parliament that many individuals have voiced opinions rejecting some parts of the bill but he gave no details . The local umbrella of non-governmental organisations and the national council of churches have objected to... (GunPolicy.org)

Samoa's Umbrella of Non-governmental Organization or SUNGO is calling on the government to withdraw part of the new Police powers bill which will require police to carry guns when it's needed. The call comes as the parliament Bill's committee this week is hearing public opinions regarding the new legislation. SUNGO's vice-president, Va'asilifiti Moelagi Jackson, says there is no need for local police to be armed. She says the constitution and the Village Fono act... (GunPolicy.org)

Samoa's parliament has passed an urgent amendment bill establishing an amnesty period for the surrender of illegal firearms. The newly passed amendment will give power to the minister of police, to set up firearms amnesty periods. Police Minister, Tole'afoa Fa'afisi Apulu, says the first amnesty will start next month after the Head of State officially endorses the new bill. The amendment bill has prompted a call from the Opposition deputy leader, Asiata Sale'imoa... (GunPolicy.org)

Samoa's Transnational Crime Unit has seized guns and a quantity of cocaine in a recent raid on a major drug smuggling syndicate. The joint operation — involving the Samoan Transnational Crime Unit and the Samoan police — executed six simultaneous search warrants in Apia in February. The warrants were for addressees linked to suspected drug targets throughout Apia. So far, there are seven charges relating to possession of narcotics and guns. Web-based radio... (GunPolicy.org)

The District Court has again reminded the public that anyone found in possession of an unlawful gun could be sent to jail. Judge Vaepule Alo Vaemoa Vaai gave the warning during the sentencing of 47-year-old Samasoni Afoa Gasio of Afega to a one-year jail term. He was convicted for possession of an unlawful weapon, assault and use of threatening words The Police summary of facts, said Gasio pointed a gun at a 17-year-old boy's head, held his collar and threatened he... (GunPolicy.org)

APIA — Wounds inflicted or loss of life caused by the use of guns was far too prevalent. The District Court has said that before and will continue to do so, Justice Vui Clarence Nelson said, and noted that these type of offenses were regarded as serious by the court. The judge made his comments in sentencing Sa'u Lalotoa Falamai, 55, of Apolima-Uta, to 12 months of imprisonment for causing actual bodily harm to three fellow villagers through the use of a firearm.... (GunPolicy.org)

APIA — Samoa's Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele was the target for an assassination ordered by a former Cabinet minister, according to a charge laid by police. Former Telecommunications Minister Toi Aukuso, 67, already accused of murder, was additionally charged with inciting another person to murder the Prime Minister. The charge was laid as Mr Toi appeared in the Supreme Court on Thursday to answer counts of murder and conspiring to murder Public Works Minister... (GunPolicy.org)

The assassination of a Cabinet minister, the arrest of two leading politicians and the death penalty for one of their sons, is turning into a seismic event for Samoa with the revelation of a deep strain of high-level political corruption. Central to it all is the former prime minister, Dr Tofilau Eti Alesana, who died in March, and his finance minister, now prime minister, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, who fought the corruption allegations now re-emerging after the... (GunPolicy.org)

APIA — The son of a former Samoan minister was sentenced to death yesterday for assassinating Public Works Minister Luagalau Levaula Kamu. Mr Luagalau was shot dead at a political function on 16 July. Eletise Leafa Vitale, 34, was charged with murder on 28 July and pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court here on Friday. Two other men have been remanded in custody in connection with the murder and have yet to plea. One of them, Toi Aukuso, 67, an MP, was arrested on... (GunPolicy.org)