Firearm News
Caribbean,American Samoa,Niue,Palau,Northern Mariana Islands,Nauru,Cook Islands,Fiji,Micronesia,French Polynesia,Marshall Islands,Kiribati,Papua New Guinea,Samoa,Solomon Islands,Tonga,Tuvalu,Vanuatu,New Caledonia
Addressing Gun Violence in the Caribbean and the Pacific
15 July 2016
The Diplomat (Japan)
"The seas bring us together, they do not separate us."
–Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia
The Caribbean and the Pacific each offer a unique and contrasting perspective toward addressing armed violence. Despite sharing similar challenges as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), each region faces very different circumstances on the ground. In light of this, each region has taken a different approach toward addressing armed violence. The Pacific stands... (GunPolicy.org)
The Suspect Behind the Fiji Arms Trafficking Case in 1988
23 June 2015
Fiji Times
He was said to have been born in Fiji on February 18, 1945 and was educated in Melbourne, Australia.
Known as Mohammed Rafiq Khan, he also used names like Peter Khan, Dr Ralph Khan, Mohammed Rafiq Kahan and sometimes Mohammed Rafiq.
According to a report in The Fiji Times on June 3, 1988, he was suspected to be the man behind the shipment of the illegal weapons to Fiji.
It was reported that Khan came into prominence in Fiji when he established the Budget Marketing... (GunPolicy.org)
1988 Police Raids Discover Illegal Weapons in Fiji
16 June 2015
Fiji Times
Shockwaves were sent across the country when the first coup was carried out in 1987 by the military.
But what was equally shocking one-year later was the discovery of arms and ammunitions that had been illegally shipped into the country for reasons yet to be known.
Customs officers in Australia had intercepted a 12-tonne container filled with illegal arms that was destined for Fiji.
Following the discovery, Australian police informed their Fijian counterparts that a... (GunPolicy.org)
1988 Discovery of Illegal Weapons in Fiji
9 June 2015
Fiji Times
He was a detective sergeant based at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in Suva when his boss called him.
It was May 1988 and he was told by his boss that the Australian authorities had intercepted a container with arms and ammunition bound for Fiji.
He was also told that the information from Australian police was that a container with arms and ammunition had already arrived in the country.
With years of experience working as a police detective,... (GunPolicy.org)
Concern in Fiji for Growing Number of Weapon Holders
6 May 2015
Fiji Times
NUKU'ALOFA - There's a major concern from the Ministry of Police as the number of local weapon holders are increasing as the day goes by and they believe it is critical.
Inspector Tevita Fiffita stated that most crime occurred regards weapons are weapons that was either brought in to the country illegally and was being concealed also unlicensed.
"There is no approximate estimation as to how many holders there are but we do believe that there are many holders out there... (GunPolicy.org)
American Sentenced in Fiji Over Bribery, Gun Charges
31 May 2014
Fiji Times
An American national who attempted to bring in guns and ammunition into the country had his sentence changed after the High Court reviewed it.
Sonny Blake was convicted of bribing a Customs officer and possession of firearms without a license by the Magistrates Court.
He was given a 12-month jail term suspended for five years, fined $1000 and conviction not recorded.
In his judgment Justice Paul Madigan said in this age where commercial intercourse was paramount and... (GunPolicy.org)
American Fined in Fiji for Unlicensed Gun Possession, Bribery
9 December 2013
Fiji Sun
An American national has been fined $1000 after pleading guilty to one count of bribery and one count of being in possession of firearms without a licence.
Sonny David Bernard Blake appeared at the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday and was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for five years.
He was charged with one count of bribery of public official contrary to Section 134 (1)(a)(i) of Crimes Decree No.44 of 2009.
Blake was also charged with one count of... (GunPolicy.org)
American-Tongan Held in Fiji on Illegal Gun Charges After Smuggling Attempt
19 November 2013
Matangi Tonga
NADI, Fiji - An American national of Tongan ethnicity has been charged for bribery of a public official and illegal possession of arms and ammunition after he attempted to smuggle firearms past security officials at Fiji's Nadi Airport last week.
According to media reports, the accused Sonny David Bernard Blake (29) was arrested on Wednesday November 13 when he arrived at Nadi Airport from Los Angeles, and allegedly tried to bribe custom officers with USD $40 in an... (GunPolicy.org)
Boy Guilty of Manslaughter in Fiji After Shooting 6-Year-Old
17 July 2013
Stuff (New Zealand)
A Fiji court has found a 10-year-old boy guilty of the manslaughter of a 6-year-old New Zealand child killed in a shooting last year.
The 10-year-old's father has been ordered to pay F$2500 (NZ$1680) court costs and to ensure the good behaviour of the child for seven years until he becomes an adult.
Mohammed Khubeb Khan, 6, of Auckland, and a 14-year-old cousin, Mohammed Nabil Khan, were hit by a bullet as they were playing at a new house on the outskirts of Lautoka... (GunPolicy.org)
Canadian Man Jailed After Flouting Lifetime Weapons Ban for Third Time
30 April 2013
Metro Canada
A Vancouver criminal who had already received two lifetime weapons bans was caught again with three illegal guns.
Police executed a search warrant on June 20 last year on a home where Victor Sharma lived with his late mother.
Police found a fairly large marijuana grow-op of 659 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $220,000, and a hydroelectric bypass.
Officers also found an illegal Ruger semi-automatic pistol with 13 live rounds loaded in a clip. The gun had its... (GunPolicy.org)
Fijian in Court on Charges of Neglecting Gun Safety After Death
30 January 2013
Fiji Times
Pilot Mohammed Rizwan Khan has been refused bail by the Lautoka Magistrates Court for offences relating to the death of six-year old Mohammed Khubayb Salman Khan last weekend.
Appearing before Magistrate Sujeewa Nishanka, Mr Khan was charged with one count of failure to maintain arms in a safe and secure custody and one count of manslaughter by negligence or breach of duty.
While ruling on Mr Khan's bail application by his lawyer Vishal Pillay, Magistrate Nishanka... (GunPolicy.org)
Sudan,Syria,Russia,China,Papua New Guinea,Fiji,Oceania
Pacific Nations Push for Global Arms Trade Treaty to Curb Gun Trade
19 March 2012
ABC News (Australia), Transcript
Every year illicit trade in small arms results in thousands of deaths. Most of them in developing countries, including the Pacific, where the impact of gun violence has been devastating.
Now the international community is to meet at the United Nations to finalise the first ever global arms trade treaty.
HELEN HAKENA, WOMEN'S RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER: I was seven months pregnant when gunmen came into our village terrorising the entire village community. My house was burnt to... (GunPolicy.org)
The Fact That Guns Are Banned in Fiji, a Factor Contributing to Peace
8 September 2011
Fiji Times
Keep Fiji gun-free, stated High Court judge Justice Sithambarampillai Thurairaja as he presided over a matter involving possession of firearms yesterday.
The firearm belonging to Sahid Hassan, from whom the gun was stolen, was told the court would seek clarification from the Ministry of Defence on the gun before deciding whether to release it or not.
Justice Thurairaja said he had been in Fiji for almost 18 months and the fact that guns were not allowed was a factor... (GunPolicy.org)
Porous Border Saw Use of Foreign Firearms During Armed Violence in Fiji
27 June 2011
Radio Fiji
The porous nature of Fiji's borders saw the use of foreign firearms in past coups says Fiji Ministry of Defence senior officer Joji Washington.
Washington made the comments at the Asia Pacific Consultation on Arms Trade Treaty held in in Bali, Indonesia earlier this month.
He told the Forum Fiji has been subjected to several coups where conventional weapons were used and resulted in bloodshed.
Washington says authorities have confirmed that some of these arms were of... (GunPolicy.org)
Oceania,United Nations,Australia,New Zealand,Fiji,Solomon Islands,Papua New Guinea
United Nations Gun Chief Says Pacific Has Illicit Small Arms Problem
25 June 2009
ABC Radio Australia (Shortwave), Audio
The United Nations is working to halt the daily toll of one-thousand people around the world killed by small arms. The job of halting the toll taken by small illegal weapons has now been placed in the hands of United Nations Ambassador, Pablo Macedo. Ambassador Macedo is Chair Designate for next year's United Nations Biennial Meeting of States on Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Speaker: United Nations Ambassador, Pablo Macedo
Windows media (audio... (GunPolicy.org)
Oceania,Australia,Solomon Islands,Papua New Guinea,Fiji,United Nations
Guns Threaten Pacific Stability, Ammunition Controls on Way, UN Told
24 June 2009
ABC Radio Australia (Shortwave)
Guns in the Pacific region have the potential to create chaos, economic damage and social disruption, a conference has been told.
The meeting of Pacific Island officials in Sydney was sponsored by the United Nations Disarmament Office and the Australian Government.
The two-day event, which has just wound up, looked at the scale of the problem and initiatives to tackle it.
It was chaired by Mexico's Pablo Macedo, at his first meeting in charge of steering UN... (GunPolicy.org)
Fiji Police Try to Trace Illegal Ruger Handgun Sold to Businessman
29 December 2008
Fiji Times
Police are waiting on a report from the military to determine if the gun that was sold to a businessman belongs to the army.
The businessman bought a Ruger Mark 2 Pistol on the street from a youth for close to $200 and last week dropped it with police.
Assistant director operations, SSP Erami Raibe confirmed the military have possession of the gun.
SSP Raibe said two people were been questioned in relation to the matter but declined to say if they were suspected... (GunPolicy.org)
Police in Fiji Hunting Seller of Illegal Ruger Handgun
28 December 2008
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
Police in Fiji say they are are following some strong leads in the hunt for a man who allegedly sold a gun to the owner of Lokia Shopping Centre in Suva.
A police spokesperson Atunaisa Sokomuri said they have interviewed and released the businessman and are now working on information to apprehend the man who sold the gun.
He added the gun is now in the custody of the police armory.
Mr Sokomuri said the gun was brought in by the shopkeeper after he bought it on the... (GunPolicy.org)
Fatal Shooting Highlights Fiji's Gun Licensing Law, Background Checks
13 August 2007
Fiji Times
The Commissioner of Police issues licenses to people who wish to keep firearms at home, says force assistant public relations officer Suliano Tevita.
Corporal Tevita said everyone had to follow a process before applicants were granted a license.
But, he could not say how many licenses had been issued this year.
He said generally people kept guns for hunting or to protect livestock.
He said renewals were made annually and there were conditions attached for those who... (GunPolicy.org)
Fijian Groups Highlight Political and Gender-related Gun Violence in Pacific
16 June 2007
Fiji Times
In marking the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, the Pacific Foundation for the Advancement of Women (PACFAW) and the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) feel concerns over the misuse of guns is very real.
Ema Tagicakibau of the PCRC Peace and Disarmament Desk said Fiji was fortunate to allowed license for people to carry guns.
"We want to focus on what we can learn from the coup cycle and gun violence. The security forces should be reminded of the Code... (GunPolicy.org)