Samoa Police calls Gun Amnesty to eliminate illegal weapons

Apia, 29 July 2024 – Samoa Police have called for a gun amnesty to eliminate illegal weapons from the country and ensure community safety especially with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to take place in October.

The amnesty was announced by the Deputy Police Commissioner Papali’i Monalisa Tiai-Keti in a week where a police detective sergeant was shot dead while arresting a man for shooting dead another man a day earlier.

The amnesty will run from 01 August until 30 September and gives people who have illegal weapons an opportunity to hand them in and not face any consequences.

The amnesty is governed by Samoa’s Arms Ordinance of 1960, which grants the Minister authority to declare amnesty periods and outlines the conditions under which firearms, ammunition, explosives, and dangerous weapons can be surrendered without penalty.

Papali’i told media, “The Minister has endorsed this amnesty, urging individuals in possession of unregistered or illegal weapons to surrender them without fear of prosecution during the amnesty period.”

Papalii warns people who continue to own unregistered illegal firearms that if discovered during routine police operations, illegal weapons will be subject to legal consequences.

Illegal guns turned in to police in two previous gun amnesties were destroyed under police supervision.