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Gun Amnesty Offer $100 Vouchers for Unlawful Guns
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, Samoa –02 August 2024 – The Gun Amnesty running between 01 August and 31 September 2024 is offering a $100 voucher on top of a no-penalty for any unlawful weapons to be turned into police.
Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the voucher idea is a way to entice those in possession of unlawful guns to hand them over.
It is also an encouragement for people with unlicensed guns to turn them in to be registered according to Auapaau.
“Once they hand over the firearms, they get a voucher and they can go to either Frankies or Farmer Joe to use that voucher,” said Auapaau.
There is no penalty against whoever hands over an unlicensed firearm during the amnesty.
The gun used in the recent double murder at Fasitoo-uta is legal in Samoa but was not registered or licensed.
The Commissioner said most of the firearms and ammunition police confiscate from drug raids are unlawful such as pistols which are banned from Samoa.
The Gun Amnesty 2024 was officially launched by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa who is also the Acting Minister of Police.
“This initiative follows previous successful amnesties over the past 7 years and the 2024 Gun Amnesty will commence on the 1st August until the 30th September 2024,” said Fiame.
She said the intention is to ensure that Samoa remains safe.
“As Samoa sets to hold the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024, as the incoming Chair, the safety and security of all world leaders attending CHOGM is critical as such I am very proud of the Ministry of Police for taking this step and implementing the Amnesty as part of the overall security preparation,” said Fiame.
The Samoa Police records from the previous Gun Amnesties indicate that:
- From 2015 to 2016, 317 firearms and 231 ammunitions were received from the public,
- In 2018, 81 firearms were received,
- From 2020 to 2021, 198 firearms and 494 ammunition were received.
- A total of 596 firearms and 725 ammunition.
She said statistics also show that from the 1st January 2023 – 30th June 2024, Police recorded 16 reported incidents involving firearms.
Fiame referred to the recent incident where the Samoa Police experienced the tragic loss of an officer as the result of a gunshot wound.
“This demonstrates the importance of ensuring that our community, our country and our people live in a safe and secure environment, therefore, I urge the public to support our Government through the Samoa Police by the Gun Amnesty 2024,” she said.
She acknowledged the continuous support of the Australian Government through the Samoa Australia Police Partnership for supporting this initiative.
Illegal guns on display at the amnesty launch.
