People who continue to possess illegal firearms after the National Firearms Amnesty and Guns Buy-Back Program ends on Sept. 16 will face life imprisonment, while the government is pursuing tougher penalties for people who sell or supply illegal firearms.
Police Minister Sir John Pundari said the government is seeking amendments to increase penalties for illegal firearm offences, including consideration of the death penalty for illegal firearm possession.
He said life imprisonment is already the penalty for illegal firearm possession, while proposed amendments would extend life imprisonment to people who sell or supply illegal firearms, including those operating across international borders.
“Let me warn you that the laws of you ending up with the life sentence also applies to you for selling that gun,” Sir John said.
“You are responsible for the many lives that this country has lost already through the use of illegal guns.”
Sir John said the proposed penalties would target people involved in the illegal firearm trade both inside and outside Papua New Guinea, including suppliers operating across international borders.
He also warned members of the Police, Correctional Service and PNGDF that they could face the same severe penalties if found moving or trading illegal firearms and ammunition.
The minister said authorities are also targeting people who financially support the purchase of high-powered weapons used by criminal groups.
With the amnesty deadline approaching, Sir John urged people holding illegal firearms to surrender them before Sept. 16 rather than risk arrest and prosecution.
The National Firearms Amnesty and Guns Buy-Back Program began on Feb. 28 and will conclude on Sept. 16.
Sir John said preliminary reports show that more than 200 firearms have already been surrendered in Enga.
He said authorities in Kokopo had also reported significant progress in the surrender of homemade firearms.
“In Kokopo, I am very happy to know that they have filled up a container of homemade guns, and that is really encouraging,” Sir John said.
He said the surrender effort was also gaining momentum in Jiwaka.
Sir John said Police Commissioner David Manning had directed provincial police commanders to submit reports on the progress of firearms amnesty operations across the country.
During the amnesty period, people can surrender illegal firearms without being arrested for possession, with cash incentives available for surrendered weapons.
However, Sir John stressed that the amnesty does not provide immunity for crimes committed using illegal firearms.
He said that once the amnesty ends, security forces will rely on intelligence-led operations, targeted enforcement and weapons tracing to recover illegal firearms and prosecute those responsible.
“After that date, there will be no leniency and our nation will not tolerate illegal firearms under any circumstance,” he said.
Sir John also warned politicians, candidates and their supporters against using illegal firearms during the 2027 National General Election.
“No one should support a candidate who uses illegal firearms, for he is a criminal. You will be a criminal too if you support them,” Sir John said.
He said candidates who rely on illegal firearms to influence or win elections should not contest, while security forces would maintain a zero-tolerance approach to election-related gun violence.
The minister also urged communities to consider using any financial return from surrendered firearms for education, agriculture or small business activities.
He said police are responsible for collecting and registering surrendered firearms and recording the information required to process payments following verification.
A nationwide day of repentance and forgiveness is also scheduled for Aug. 28 as part of the government's campaign against illegal firearms.
Sir John called on churches, community leaders, businesses and other organizations to encourage people to surrender illegal firearms before the amnesty deadline.
“Enough is enough and we all have to rise up as a people to remove this evil in our society, in our communities and in our families,” Sir John said.
He said the illegal firearm problem extends beyond the Highlands, with firearms increasingly being reported in coastal and island communities.
Sir John said reducing the number of illegal firearms remains a national public safety priority, particularly as Papua New Guinea prepares for the 2027 election.
He said authorities would continue using targeted enforcement, intelligence-led operations, community engagement, weapons tracing, command reporting and prosecution support to recover illegal firearms and hold those responsible accountable.
