"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)

In their move to arm the police officers, the Department of Public Safety informed Senators in a hearing on Monday that between 2006 and 2012, the police confiscated close to 80 guns as a result of raids and criminal cases. During the hearing on the hot issue of arming the police officers or first responders in the patrol division, Police Commander Tauese Va'a Sunia in a power point presentation noted that of the 78 guns they have confiscated, there were 63 rifles... (GunPolicy.org)

A government task force has been established to review gun policies as the Department of Public Safety is looking at arming police officers, a move that has resulted in concern being voiced by members of the community, including prominent lawmakers, who plan to take up this issue when the Fono convenes later this month. In a memo issued this week, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said the 'Task Force to Review Gun Policies' is mandated to "determine the adequacy of the... (GunPolicy.org)

"In order for our Police Department to be recognized and be qualified as a fully fledged police department there's a need for the police officers to be armed — because right now our motto is 'To serve and protect'. We can serve but we cannot protect," said Commissioner of Public Safety William Bill Haleck. Last Saturday the Commissioner picked up 24 Glock-17s, which are 9-millimeter handguns which were purchased through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, with the... (GunPolicy.org)

The Commissioner of Public Safety in American Samoa is calling for action to stop the smuggling of weapons into the territory. The call by Tuaolo Fruean follows the fatal shooting of police officer, Detective Lusila Brown last Thursday. Mr Fruean says he thinks the illegal guns are being brought in through the sea port and the Fono and the executive branch should be seriously looking at ways to stop this flow. The Pacific transnational crime report says American Samoa... (GunPolicy.org)

A man has appeared in court in American Samoa charged in relation to the shooting death of a police detective outside the courthouse last Friday. Siaumau Siaumau Jr, is facing charges of first degree murder, attempted murder and firearms related offences. American Samoa police detective Lusila Brown was killed in the attack, which was witnessed by many court staff and lawyers. The defendant believed the detective was responsible for the arrest of his mother.... (GunPolicy.org)

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, 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'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)

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)

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)