MVA backs creation of ‘shooting resorts’

Saying he is fully convinced that there are enough safeguards to control the use of guns in the planned “shooting resort”, Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chair Dave M. Sablan has expressed support for the proposed measure that will ease the tough gun control law in the CNMI.

“I have seen the operation of a shooting resort in Korea and learned how the safety measures are strictly followed by the management that’s why I believe it is fine to allow this type of investment,” he said.

MVA will discuss the issue in the scheduled board meeting this month so that it can come up with a position on HB 12-212.

Mr. Sablan said it was unfortunate that there has been a lot of negative perception on the proposed legislation amending the Weapons Control Act to allow the entry of currently-prohibited guns and ammunition into the CNMI due to lack of understanding on the concept of a “shooting resort”.

“Allowing the establishment of shooting resorts does not mean that guns will be carried on the streets by anybody. The entry of guns will be properly monitored and the federation will strictly adhere to the regulation,” he said.

With the decline in the island’s tourism economy, Mr. Sablan said the establishment of this type of resort will open the CNMI to a new tourist market.

He said the resort can even bring in thousands of members of the Asian University of Sports Federation to come here and train for the annual competition. Saipan may even become the venue for an international shooting competition, he added.

Korean firm Union Rich Saipan has already proposed to invest in major commercial infrastructures on the islands and shooting resorts amounting to over $25 million.

Company officials were on island a week ago to lobby for the approval of the bill which they said will pave the way for the construction of the shooting ranges on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

“With the help of the federation members and the Department of Public Safety, the weapons that will be brought in will be strictly managed to make sure that these guns are not found out there on the streets,” Mr. Sablan said.

Earlier, DPS Commissioner Charles W. Ingram proposed stringent measures to ensure strict control of firearms and ammunition coming into and leaving the CNMI.

Mr. Ingram recommended that compliance and inspection be made by DPS as the resort provide inventories to the department of all ammunition, firearms and personnel assignment on a weekly basis and upon demand by DPS.

He said tracking of firearms and ammunition can be done through a federal firearms licensed dealer, who by federal law must comply with the stringent recording requirements.