Firearm News
United States,Botswana,Cook Islands,Fiji,Iceland,Ireland,Kiribati,Malawi,Marshall Islands,Nauru,New Zealand,Niue,Norway,Samoa,Solomon Islands,Tonga,Tuvalu,United Kingdom,Vanuatu,Virgin Islands (US)
The 19 Countries That Do Not Arm Their Police Officers
19 July 2017
CNN
A woman who called 911 to report a nearby crime was killed by a US police officer last weekend. The circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear.
The fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk, a dual Australian-US national who had settled in Minnesota in 2014, has made headlines in both her native Australia and her adopted home in Minneapolis – once again reigniting the all too familiar debate surrounding the role that firearms play in both law enforcement and in... (GunPolicy.org)
Marianas to Register Firearms After Court Nixes Gun Controls
14 November 2016
Guns (US)
Despite a federal ruling issued in September that struck down a handgun registration scheme in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, local lawmakers have passed another.
After a series of lawsuits ended the U.S. territory's total ban on handgun ownership, the local government adopted the Special Act for Firearms Enforcement earlier this year. The law imposed sweeping gun control measures, licensing schemes and strict rules regarding how one carries and... (GunPolicy.org)
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)
Oceania,Micronesia (FSM),United States
US Northern Marianas Sees Itself as a Model for Gun Control
20 April 2016
Radio New Zealand
The Governor of the Northern Marianas says he wants new gun laws to serve as a model for other states and territories who want some form of gun control.
This month Ralph Torres signed a new act into law, emphasising the importance of putting strict regulations on owning firearms.
The law defines the conditions a person can use a firearm, creates gun-free zones and stops convicted felons from legally owning guns.
The move came after a March court decision allowed... (GunPolicy.org)
United States,Micronesia (FSM),Oceania
US Rules Pacific Island Gun Ban Violates 2nd Amendment
30 March 2016
Guardian, Agence France Presse
America's heated gun debate has reached a remote Pacific territory, with a court overturning a ban on handguns in the Northern Marianas after ruling it breached the US constitution's second amendment.
In a ruling greeted with dismay by the island territory's leaders, the US district court found the right to bear arms enshrined in the second amendment also applied to the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
"The second amendment … [is] the law of the... (GunPolicy.org)
United States,Micronesia (FSM),Oceania
Pacific Islands Rush to Replace Gun Laws Trashed by US
30 March 2016
BBC News
Lawmakers in the US commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are moving to enact "sweeping" gun control legislation, days after a court struck down its ban on handgun possession.
For decades the Pacific islands' laws have prevented handgun ownership and imposed strict regulations on other firearms. But on Monday, a US district court with jurisdiction over the territory ruled that the prohibition violates the US constitution's second amendment, which guarantees the... (GunPolicy.org)
Hidden Handgun Licensing, Gun Registration Soar in Guam
6 March 2016
Pacific Daily News (Guam)
Almost 600 concealed firearms licenses were issued in Guam in 2014 — a dramatic jump from previous years, when the numbers hovered around 100, according to Guam Police Department data. In 2015, more than 800 licenses were issued.
Sen. Tony Ada attributes the dramatic jump to a bill he authored in 2014, which became law that year.
"P.L. 32-150 was enacted in May of 2014," Ada said. "It makes sense that any jump in the number of concealed (firearms licenses) issued... (GunPolicy.org)
Guam,United States,Puerto Rico
15 July 2015
Pacific Daily News (Guam)
The timing of a recent court ruling from the Commonwealth Court of Puerto Rico could not be better, and may well set in motion a significant ripple effect in other U.S. Island jurisdictions, namely Guam and Hawaii.
The Puerto Rican court recently handed down a ruling on a class action lawsuit that was brought by the Ladies of the Second Amendment, or LSA, with 850 individual plaintiffs. The court ruling, confirmed by the Second Amendment Foundation, or SAF, was a... (GunPolicy.org)
Officials in Guam Pass Concealed Carry Law for Firearms
10 May 2014
Guam PDN
Residents could soon be able to get a concealed firearms permit if they meet certain qualifications, if the governor signs a bill that was passed into law by the Legislature yesterday.
Bill 296 would align Guam's firearms law with other jurisdictions and require the police department to issue concealed firearms permits to residents who meet certain requirements.
The bill was one of many that senators voted to pass during the last day of session yesterday. The bill... (GunPolicy.org)
Proposed Gun Reform Would Relax Concealed Carry Law in Guam
2 April 2014
ABC Radio Australia (Shortwave)
More residents in Guam may soon be able to carry concealed firearms if a bill introduced into its legislature is passed.
The bill, which has bipartisan support, was introduced into Parliament by Senator Tony Ada.
Co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Aline Yamashita, has told Pacific Beat that at present 50 per cent of residents in the US territory who apply for a permit to carry a concealed firearm are unsuccessful.
She says the Second Amendment to the US Constitution... (GunPolicy.org)
Palau,New Zealand,Samoa,Tuvalu,Australia
Tuvalu and Palau Sign Arms Trade Treaty
5 June 2013
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
Tuvalu and Palau have become the first countries in the Pacific to sign the UN small arms treaty.
The treaty, which opened for signatures in New York on Monday, puts rules in place that make countries consider human rights before any arms trade deals are made.
New Zealand and Australia have also signed it and Samoa will be doing so in September at the UN general assembly.
The Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Barry Coates, says he hopes other Pacific countries... (GunPolicy.org)
Japanese Turn 'Gun Ho' in Guam but Prefer Own Gun Culture
17 February 2013
Japan Times
TAMUNING, Guam – Their well-equipped arsenals offer everything from tiny revolvers for ladies to Berettas, Glocks, semiautomatic pistols and M16 military assault rifles. If kids can see over the counter, they're welcome too.
Forget the white sandy beaches, coral reefs and laid-back island culture. For many Japanese tourists, the biggest thrill on Guam is the chance to shoot a gun at one of its ubiquitous ranges, dozens of which are tucked between upscale shopping... (GunPolicy.org)
Ranger Kills 2 Women, Self with Government Gun in Guam Domestic Dispute
29 December 2011
Pacific Daily News (Guam)
A relative of two slain women is questioning if the government of Guam should harden the psychological scrutiny of armed law enforcement in the wake of a double murder-suicide.
John Mamaligsa said yesterday that he is pushing local lawmakers to create a law establishing government-wide psychological evaluation standards for anyone who carries a gun in the name of GovGuam.
The standards should require all law enforcement to be reviewed by a psychologist periodically to... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Massacre Interrupts Birthday Celebration on Isolated Pacific Island
23 November 2009
Saipan Tribune
It was supposedly Dolores Naputi's fourth birthday party at their residence in Kannat Tabla Friday, but it quickly turned into tragedy.
Dolores survived with a gunshot wound to the left chest. She is now in stable condition and started talking after being released from the Commonwealth Health Center's intensive care unit yesterday at about 3:30pm.
Dolores' mother, Kollin Deleon Guerrero, 26, was at her bedside at CHC along with relatives and friends when Saipan... (GunPolicy.org)
Saipan Gun Club Caretaker Planned Mass Shooting, Left Notes, Killed 5
23 November 2009
Saipan Tribune
Investigators recovered several notes that indicated that the gunman planned Friday's shooting rampage that left five people dead, including the suspect, and eight others wounded.
Department of Public Safety spokesman Jason Tarkong said yesterday that detectives from the DPS Criminal Investigation Division found several notes left by the suspect, Zhong Ren Li.
Tarkong said the 42-year-old Li was the alleged caretaker of the shooting range, which has been closed for... (GunPolicy.org)
Five Children, Tourists Shot Dead on the Remote Pacific Island of Saipan
20 November 2009
BBC News
At least five people have died in a shooting incident on the Pacific island of Saipan.
Eight were wounded in the incident, including a group of South Korean tourists. The gunman was among the dead.
Saipan is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which is administered by the US.
The islands have a population of 90,000, and lie between Hawaii and the Philippines.
Their economy relies largely on tourism.
'Isolated case'
Saipan's Deputy... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Range Patron Shoots Children, Tourists, Kills 5, Himself on Saipan
20 November 2009
Pacific News Centre (Guam)
GUAM — Authorities in Saipan confirm that a lone gunman has killed 5 people including himself. Two of the victims were boys.
Initial reports say the first shooting occurred about 1pm this afternoon at a gun range in Kannat Tabla where 3 people were killed, including the 2 boys. A number of other children were also injured.
The shooter then reportedly drove to the north end of Saipan to Marpi Point where he reportedly shot another person and then turned the gun on... (GunPolicy.org)
US Feds Target Two Felons in Saipan Sting, Seize Two Illegal Handguns
18 September 2009
Saipan Tribune
Government agents arrested yesterday two ex-convicts who allegedly sold guns to the authorities' confidential source.
The suspects — Damien Pua and Dexter Ulloa Maratita — were taken to the U.S. District Court for the NMI yesterday morning for their initial appearance hearing.
Pua listed the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and Trench Tech as his employer. A check with CUC record spells Pua's first name as Damian.
U.S. District Court for the NMI designated judge... (GunPolicy.org)
Northern Marianas Customs Officer Accused of Firing Gun While Drunk
8 July 2009
Saipan Tribune
The CNMI Superior Court has summoned a female customs officer to appear in court in connection with her alleged firing of a gun several times outside her home while under the influence of alcohol.
Clerk of court Bernadita A. Sablan issued the summons on June 25 to Ramona M. Magofna, telling her to appear in court on July 13. If Magofna fails to show up, she will be arrested.
Police arrested Magofna in May on the strength of a warrant issued by the Superior... (GunPolicy.org)
Unregistered Guns Down from 800 to 200 in Northern Mariana Islands
26 May 2009
Saipan Tribune
CNMI Range Master Ambrosio T. Ogumoro and senior firearm instructor David M. Hosono recently successfully completed the Firearm Instructor Update Recertification at the Smith and Wesson Academy in Massachusetts.
Ogumoro said he would continue to enforce and regulate civilian firearms in the Commonwealth, pointing out that since he became the CNMI Range Master, there has been a substantial reduction in the number of unregistered firearms owned by civilian gun owners.... (GunPolicy.org)