The Director of Tonga's Women and Children's Crisis Centre says more rigid laws are needed to combat the illegal importation of weapons.
This follows a recent charge of unlawful possession of a firearm laid against man alleged to have shot a security guard outside a nightclub.
Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki says the group is greatly concerned about illegal guns getting into Tonga and fears it could lead to an increase in violence.
"If we look at the current political reforms that we're in right now; I mean we're just around the corner from our general elections, you know that last thing we want is for this to turn violent. The last thing we want is to for people to have access to illegal guns."
Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki says a greater level of awareness of illegal arms is needed as domestic violence is also increasing.
