From:	"Peter Cunningham", INTERNET:[l--ng--s] at [online.net.pg]

Brief history - 

PM Chan [Papua New Guinea], under pressure from Aust and Japan to 'disarm' populace - AND
- Chan wanting to big note self in front of Clinton (for untied aid -
so he can steal it) on his 1996 visit to Aust -- declared that as of
Oct 99 NO firearm license would be renewed or issued...

That means TOTAL firearm ban amonges civilians - except criminals.  I
discovered this immediately upon return from World Cships in Brasil
and lobbied hard to have the Bill thrown out, but last day in
Parliament (20 Dec '96) in the late hrs of the night he forced it
through when most were absent who would resist.

Ultimately, I circulated information, as and similar to the attached
text document, (which you might find of use) to all and sundry.  I
concentrated particularly on business and pollies themselves spreading
the word that the Chan Govt was providing raskals (crims) a govt
guarantee that people will be disarmed and thus unable to resist
criminal violence - that business and investment will cease and that
Chan will have created himself as a dictator via anarchy he legally
created.

The Chambers of commerce - after MUCH lobbying to get them to get
their heads out of their arses (achieved by getting their members to
hound and force action) - they finally began a major push and printed
a 4 page feature article of mine as a summary of processes.

Needless to say, this let to considerable political pressure and this
extract from newspapers.  Just look at the wording, goes back to basic
rights of survival etc and uses mostly word for word what I advised
them.

House decides guns ban not a good idea, after all
                                                                       
Local News 03/07/98
PARLIAMENT yesterday rescinded a 1996 decision to ban pistols and
high-powered firearms from October next year.

The vote, on a Bill from Imbonggu MP Peter Peipul to cancel the 1996
amendment to the Firearms Act, was carried 80-2.

The proposed ban will not now come into force, and anyone will be
allowed to own a firearm if he or she can satisfy licensing authorities
that he orshe is a fit person to do so.

Opposition Leader Bernard Narokobi was among those who supported the
Bill. He said that if the ban came into force many peace-loving
citizens would be left helpless against criminals.

`I know there are lot of problems with guns today. Police have
difficulty controlling guns,'' he said. ``Some of us have faced guns
in the street. It's a big enemy, a deadly weapon.''

But he said our ancestors had the right to bear arms against attack
from their enemies, otherwise they were vulnerable and helpless.

`This (previous) amendment, to take out all guns by October 1 1999, is
a good one to solve problems, but on the other hand we see we are
helpless,'' he said.

``Unless there is a guarantee that the criminals will not bear arms we
have to be very very careful. If we cannot guarantee the peace-loving
law-abiding citizens and those who get guns through lawful means to
protect themselves, I think it would be a foolish move to take their
guns away. A blanket or general ban is a foolish law.''

He said also that people in rural areas needed guns for hunting and to
keep pigs from destroying food gardens.

Police Minister Thomas Pelika also supported the Bill, but said there
should be stringent controls as well as an increase in penalties for
firearms offences.

Former Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu spoke against the Bill.

``I'm against guns, I'm all for the complete ban on guns,'' Sir Rabbie
said. ``I cannot understand the reasons given by the mover of the
Bill.  There are already thousands of guns that are illegally owned.''

He said also there should be differentiation of the types of guns
allowed. ``If there are legitimate reasons for people to have guns
. . .  to hunt pigs etc, then they should be allowed to keep those
guns but I don't think you need high-powered guns to kill a pig,'' he
said.

Our man In PNG and he quoted that "we may be a poor black third world
country, buy even we know that a blanket ban on guns will not solve our
law and order problem"

Me-pla trust im God tasol!!!

HOW ABOUT THAT eh??  Not bad?

Ultimately - firearms are again permitted for normal legitimate
civilian purposes, and also continuance of 'B' class "Carry" licenses
(concealed carry) Wearing the sporting hat - we have been issued 32
new pistol licenses and 22 new semi auto shotgun licenses during the
midst of the total license ban this year and before the announcment
above.

There we have it - a WIN.
I now must be off - like a bad smell....Peter Cunningham 
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