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)

"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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

A safety education class is no longer required for gun license renewals. This came yesterday as Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed into law Senate Bill 15-70. The measure, which is now Public Law 15-62, exempts license renewal applicants from the mandatory firearms safety education class. The legislation states that although it is appropriate to require new gun owners to attend the class, existing licensees should not have to go through the class each time they renew... (GunPolicy.org)

The Legislature is deadlocked on a measure easing regulations on gun ownership. The Senate has rejected amendments made by the House of Representatives on Senate Bill 15-70. The presiding officers must now appoint members to a conference committee to draft a version of the bill that both houses agree upon. Introduced by Senate Vice President Pete P. Reyes, the bill seeks to exempt renewal applicants from the mandatory firearms safety education class. The bill's author... (GunPolicy.org)

Police arrested a man who was allegedly selling a handgun and ammunitions on Saipan Wednesday night. Hongzhe Jin, 37, was arrested for manufacturing, selling or possessing a firearm; and illegal possession of a handgun and ammunition. Jin was brought to the Superior Court yesterday afternoon for a bail hearing. Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja imposed a $20,000 cash bail for Jin's temporary liberty. Naraja appointed the Public Defender's Office to represent the... (GunPolicy.org)

The house of the Department of Public Safety's shooting range master Ambrosio T. Ogumoro's brother, acting DPS police director Capt. Aniceto Ogumoro, was also covered by a search warrant requested by the police. According to documents filed in the Superior Court, investigators from the DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau asked the court to include in their search the residence of Capt. Aniceto Ogumoro, which is located near Ambrosio Ogumoro's house in Capitol Hill. CIB... (GunPolicy.org)

SAIPAN — Some 3,000 firearms, most of them confiscated over the years by the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) government for various reasons, are sitting idle at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). This is according to Congressman Ramon Tebuteb, who is pushing for the immediate disposal of the guns, Saipan Tribune reports. "We're talking here of about two truckloads. It' quite a significant number of firearms which are unused and (are sitting) idle at... (GunPolicy.org)

The Department of Public Safety issued at least 20 firearms permits this year without imposing the required safety education class, according to Saipan Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, who is now pushing for a legislative probe on the matter. Tebuteb, during a session Thursday, called on the House Committee on Judicial and Government Operations to look into the alleged violation of Public Law 14-51, which requires a mandatory firearm safety education class to all gun owner... (GunPolicy.org)