Firearm News
Samoan Police Launch New Gun Amnesty
1 October 2018
Samoa Observer
Members of the public who will use a two-months gun amnesty to bring in their unregistered and illegal guns will get a $50 Electric Power Corporation voucher.
This was announced yesterday when the Police launched a two-month long amnesty in a bid to collect unregistered and illegal guns. The amnesty ends on 30 November 2018.
This is the third amnesty under the leadership of Police Commissioner, Fuiavaili'ili Egon Keil.
Acting Prime Minister, Tuitama Dr. Leao... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoan Police to Destroy 300 Guns
5 July 2018
Samoa Observer
The police will destroy close to 300 illegal firearms that they recovered during their operations.
Commissioner Fuiavailiili Egon Keil said questions remain on how the firearms were brought into the country as Samoa does not manufacture weapons or ammunition.
"This coming Thursday (today) at the police headquarter at 10 o'clock we have little less than 300 firearms that we will be destroying, just like what we did back in 2015. So these weapons will be destroyed... (GunPolicy.org)
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)
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)
Samoa Police Destroy 500 Firearms in Amnesty
15 January 2016
Samoa Observer
Samoa's gun amnesty has closed with more than 500 illegal guns destroyed.
This was part of a Police gun amnesty programme, which started in November last year.
Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, says the amnesty was aimed to reduce gun violence,
"The main objective of this operation was to reduce the number of unlawful guns in Samoa and to afford law-abiding gun owners the chance to re-register your legally purchased guns without fear of prosecution," he... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoa Amnesty Nets 300+ Firearms
7 January 2016
Samoa Observer
More than 300 guns were collected by the Police during the Firearm Amnesty, which lasted for two months.
This was confirmed by Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, who said the Amnesty gave members of the public a chance to hand in their unregistered and illegal weapons, without any questions asked.
The final day was 31 December 2015.
Since that day, anyone else who turns in a weapon will be charged.
Similarly, members of the public who still have illegal... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoan Customs Hand Over Seized Firearms to Police
4 January 2016
Samoa Observer
The Ministry of Revenue is serious about protecting Samoa's borders.
So serious the Ministry's staff members have been intercepting and confiscating illegal firearms smuggled through various containers and parcels sent to Samoa.
Last week, the Ministry's outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau handed the weapons over to the Police Commissioner, Fuiava Egon Keil, to be destroyed.
This was done the day before the end of the Police Firearm Amnesty, in... (GunPolicy.org)
Wear Orange, Say No To Violence Against Women
26 November 2014
Samoa Observer
As part of 16 days of activism against gender based violence, the Pacific Small Arms Action Group has launched a report on arms, security and gender in the Pacific.
The report cautions Pacific governments that failing to address the gendered impacts of arms and security will lead to ineffective and inefficient policy.
Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace and a member of the group, called on Pacific Island governments to work together to address the... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoa Ratifies Arms Treaty, Calls for Other Pacific Countries to Follow Suit
4 June 2014
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
Regional campaigners against the global arms trade say Pacific Island countries should follow Samoa's lead and ratify a landmark international treaty.
Samoa is the first among Pacific Island countries to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty which seeks to thwart the flow of arms to conflict regions.
Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have signed but ratification is needed in order to be bound by the UN agreement's rules.
Samoa's move brings to 40 the number of states... (GunPolicy.org)
Scottish Police Chief Secretly Authorises 440 Officers to Carry Handguns
18 May 2014
Daily Record (Scotland)
More than 400 police officers across Scotland have been secretly authorised to carry handguns in a holster while on routine patrol, we can reveal.
Permission was given by Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House without any requirement for approval by politicians.
It means specialist officers are routinely allowed to carry handguns on duty – even though there may be no obvious threat to them or the public.
Previously, firearms officers had to collect... (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)
8-Year-Old Samoan Boy Accidentally Shoots, Kills 5-Year-Old Cousin
29 October 2012
Stuff (New Zealand)
The Kiwi father of a 5-year-old boy shot dead by his 8-year-old cousin has flown to Samoa to be with the child's body.
James May was visiting the village of Samamea, 44km from the capital Apia, with his family when he, his cousin and uncle went into the woods to shoot pigeons and collect coconuts on Wednesday, Samoa's Weekend Observer reported.
James was shot in the face and killed.
The shooting happened when the uncle reportedly put the loaded gun down briefly while... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoa Considers Gun Amnesty After Recent Shooting Deaths
15 October 2012
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
Samoa's Ministry of Police is considering calling a gun amnesty following concerns over the increasing number of unlicensed and illegal firearms in the community.
The assistant police commissioner, Leaupepe Fatu Pula, says it's not only the public who are worried but police officers have also raised their concerns.
He says guns were found at a recent police drug raid, and a gun was used recently to kill a local taxi driver.
He also says police are investigating the... (GunPolicy.org)
Fishing Boats in Samoa to Be Searched for Drugs and Smuggled Guns
8 April 2009
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
The police and customs canine unit in Samoa will now start carrying out searches on all boats before and after fishing out in the open sea.
The new measure is part of a policy to counter attempts to smuggle illegal drugs and firearms into the country.
The fishing boat owners and their crew have been advised of the daily searches.
The decision also follows a Television New Zealand report which revealed that several deported young Samoans from New Zealand and the US... (GunPolicy.org)
Drug and Gun Running by Criminal Gangs Allegedly Exposed in Samoa
6 April 2009
ABC Radio Australia (Shortwave)
An investigation by a New Zealand journalist has revealed an apparently roaring trade in illegal drugs and guns in Samoa, with claims that profits from marijuana and methamphetamine smuggled into Samoa from New Zealand are being used to buy powerful weapons from the United States.
Speaker: Security Specialist Herman Loto Sakaria
RITCHIE: The Makoi Boys is just one of the gangs operating in Samoa.
GANG MEMBER: They are looking for us, we walking on the street, we're... (GunPolicy.org)
Inquiry Urged to Prosecute Samoa's Police Chief for Gun Smuggling
14 December 2008
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
State lawyers assisting a commission of inquiry in Samoa into the illegal import of firearms has recommended a criminal investigation into the role of Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru.
The police patrol boat delivered the guns from American Samoa and the state lawyers say the boat's captain, Logoitino Filipo, should also be charged for breaches under the Police Service Act and the Arms Ordinance.
The state lawyer, Rebecca Wendt, in her submission in the last... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoa Police Commissioner 'Shocked' Guns Were Smuggled to Him
22 November 2008
Samoa News
Samoa Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru, began giving evidence, or, testimony, before the Commission of Inquiry in Samoa last Friday Nov. 15, 2008, which continued yesterday and is likely to continue for another day at least, reports Samoalive.
The inquiry in Samoa probes the alleged smuggling of guns from American Samoa to Samoa on-board the Samoa police patrol boat MV Nafanua. The guns were allegedly transported on the Nafanua during the 2008 Flag Day... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoa Police Commissioner Was 'Shocked' to Find Guns Sent to Him
17 November 2008
Radio New Zealand International (Shortwave)
Samoa's Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru, has told a Commission of Inquiry investigating the illegal import of firearms, he was shocked to find guns inside a box of personal effects delivered to him from American Samoa.
The police commissioner has described the contents of the box, which was brought to Samoa on the police patrol boat, MV Nafanua, as a set-up against him because he never expected it.
The box addressed to the police commissioner was handed to... (GunPolicy.org)
Samoan Police Boss Received Guns Smuggled from American Samoa
13 November 2008
Samoa News (Pago Pago)
Police investigator John Cendroswki testified yesterday in Apia before the Samoa government's Commission of Inquiry into the alleged smuggling of firearms from American Samoa to Samoa.
What the five-member Commission decides over the next several days will determine if the Commissioner of Police, Papali'I Lorenese Neru, is guilty or not guilty of anything illegal in the way the guns were brought into the country, reports Samoalive.
The legality or illegality of guns... (GunPolicy.org)
Police Implicated in Gun Smuggling from US Protectorate to Samoa
19 October 2008
Radio New Zealand International (Pacific shortwave)
A Commission of Inquiry in Samoa into the alleged smuggling of guns from American Samoa in a police patrol boat has been extended to hear more evidence.
The Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru, is to provide a duplicate of a cardboard box and a bag in which he received the smuggled guns.
Last Friday, the hearing was told by the Captain of the patrol boat, the MV Nafanua, Logoitino Filipo, that the package addressed to the police commissioner, was stored in his... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Radio New Zealand International (Pacific shortwave)