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36 pct. of guns in NMI have expired permits
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Posted on Dec 01 2008
Of the 2,166 total number of guns in the CNMI, 785—or 36 percent—have expired licenses, based on Department of Public Safety records.
This was learned in a notice issued yesterday by DPS, where it urged all gun owners with expired licenses to renew their firearms registration and license as soon as possible.
On Saipan, there are a total of 1,638 firearms, with 1,150 that are licensed and 488 that have expired licenses. Of the 161 total number of firearms on Tinian, 71 are licensed, while 90 have expired licenses. On Rota, there are a total of 367 firearms and 160 of them are licensed while 207 have expired licenses.
The date of expiration for a firearms permit is two years from the date of issue, as provided under Commonwealth Code, Title 6, Chapter 2, Weapons Control Act, subsection 2204 (b) 4.
Failure to register a gun is a violation and violators can be charged with illegal possession of firearms.
DPS is giving gun owners with expired licenses 30 days from yesterday to register or transfer their firearms.
“Non-compliance could result with the Department of Public Safety taking further action with violators of expired licenses. We ask these people to please come forward and have your weapon(s) registered,” said Police Officer 2 Jason T. Tarkong, acting DPS spokesman.
Any persons with questions or inquiries may contact the DPS Rangemaster, Ambrosio Ogumoro, or the department’s Records and Firearms section on Saipan at 664-9072/9073. On the island of Tinian, please call DPS at 433-9222 and on the island of Rota, 532-9526. [B][I](Saipan Tribune)
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