Prime Minister James Marape has announced his intention to review existing firearms legislation to impose much heavier penalties on illegal gun ownership and trafficking before the 2027 National General Election. 

He said the Government would consider life imprisonment for individuals illegally possessing firearms and those responsible for sponsoring, financing or purchasing illegal weapons. 

“Before we go to the next election, I want us to step up the penalties,” he said. 

“I want life imprisonment for those illegally holding guns. Life imprisonment for those sponsoring guns, buying guns and purchasing guns." 

“I also want maximum penalties for those who knowingly harbour people with illegal firearms or store these weapons in their communities." 

“We cannot continue allowing dangerous weapons to circulate among our people while innocent citizens live in fear."

The Prime Minister said the Government would also review the categories of firearms that could be legally possessed by private individuals and security companies. 

He said legitimate firearms ownership for hunting, recreation and authorised security work should be restricted to appropriate weapons, with consideration given to limiting civilian and private security access to pistols and shotguns.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea had suffered enough from gun-related violence and warned that individuals involved in the illegal firearms trade would face the full force of the law.