‘Shooting resort’ gets Senate nod

The Senate yesterday finally cleared the controversial measure allowing high-powered guns in the proposed “shooting resorts” in the Northern Marianas amid a threat by foreign investors to pull out if the government continues to drag the issue.

HB 12-212 amending the strict Weapons Control Act of the CNMI heads to the lower house again for voting on the amendments made by senators to address safety concerns raised by some sectors in this island community.

House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta, main sponsor of the measure, said they may consider it for passage during a scheduled special session today if the changes are acceptable to the members.

The proposal to establish “shooting resorts” on the three main islands has been at the center of the debate over use of guns in the CNMI as opponents expressed fear over its impact on the safety of island residents.

Prospective investors from South Korea have been lobbying the Legislature to enact the bill, promising to pump at least $25 million in investments as well as to draw international shooting competitions into the Commonwealth.

But Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has already said he wants less guns on the islands, acknowledging the concerns by some quarters, including students who asked him whether he would sign the bill in a courtesy visit last week.

According to a report from the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs chaired by Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, the amendments inserted into the measure would provide stricter regulations in the handling of these banned firearms.

Provisions regarding licensure, resort development, existing shooting galleries, firearms accountability and safety as well as federal law issues were addressed and clarified by the Senate.

The committee maintained the bill is necessary to make the Northern Marianas become a more tourist and shooting competition destination as well as to help diversify the local economy in the wake of the crisis besetting the islands.

Noting a shooting resort will require a minimum capital investment of $25 million, this type of resort development is what is needed by the CNMI to overcome present economic difficulties, the report stated.

“As defined in the bill, a shooting resort will be allowed to host international and other shooting competitions and events under tightly regulated conditions for obvious safety reasons,” the committee explained.

Senators even traveled to Seoul in South Korea to inspect and see for themselves a major competitive shooting facility. They were “impressed with the high international status of sport shooting and how a similar facility would benefit the CNMI’s economy,” said the report.

In a move to further erase safety concerns and avoid getting the guns reach ordinary hands, Mr. Reyes attempted to delete use of handguns in the proposed resorts in a floor amendment which was voted down by seven of the senators present at yesterday’s session.