5 Aug 2015

PNG police instructed not to carry guns in public

9:11 am on 5 August 2015
PNG police on patrol

PNG police on patrol Photo: AFP

Papua New Guinea's Police Minister Robert Atiyafa says he is directing police to resist from carrying firearms in public where ever possible.

This comes as the Peter O'Neill-led government indicated that guns could soon be banned in PNG under legislation that the prime minister says is being prepared for parliament.

Mr Atiyafa says the successful approach of using unarmed police during the recent Pacific Games in PNG, proves the country doesn't need firearms to control law and order.

"They will leave the guns to the SU members, the special units, and for those officers like the transport officers, or traffic officers and other general duty policemen they can have them in identified vehicles, and to encourage them not to show any gun at all even when they are on beat."

The minister says he has asked the police commissioner to instruct provincial police commanders to issue orders to this effect.