Teno signs law expanding weapons control

Giving minors access to guns is now a crime in the CNMI, punishable with up to a month in prison and fine of not more than $1,000 under a law signed last Friday.

Public Law 12-17, otherwise known as the Minor Children Firearms Control Act of 2000, also requires gun owners to secure their weapons away from children. A violation constitutes a $500 fine and a three-day jail sentence.

In signing the law, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio reminded it does not diminish the provision of the Weapons Control Act that requires anyone who possesses, uses or carries a firearm to have an identification card.

“The purpose of this measure is to provide additional safeguards to prevent minors from easily accessing firearms, for their safety and the safety of the others,” he said.

Sponsored by Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho, the legislation was prompted by a recent shooting incident in the U.S. where six-year old Kayla Rolland was shot dead by her classmate who brought a gun to their Michigan school.

This has raised “serious concerns in the community regarding the need to protect our youth from tragic incidents that seem like common occurrence in the United States,” according to a House committee report endorsing the bill.

The Attorney General’s Office had recommended the civil and criminal sanctions against adults who provide firearms to minors without their supervision as well as those who fail to store their guns in secure areas.

Several firearm owners on the islands keep their weapons in their houses, which makes its easy for children to possess or use them, based on the findings of the Legislature.

By enacting the legislation, lawmakers hoped to prevent the adults from providing such an easy access, while putting in place civil and criminal liabilities to punish violators of what they felt is a misdemeanor offense.

PL 12-17 comes as the Senate tackles another bill seeking to ease restrictions under the Weapons Control Act in order to encourage development of so-called shooting resorts in the CNMI.

The lower house has passed HB 12-212 in a split vote after some members expressed concern that such a policy could lead to proliferation of handguns and other dangerous weapons here.

But proponents maintained the proposal has enough safeguards to ensure that these firearms do not go to the wrong hands, citing international regulations on shooting practice and target ranges that are incorporated under the bill.

If it becomes law, it will permit patrons and guests of these resorts to carry within their premises to handguns, shotguns and rifles as well as ammunition with caliber of 22, 32, 38, 45, 9 mm, 12 gauge, 410 gauge and 5.56 mm.

The Senate, which has yet to calendar the measure for passage, is likely to conduct public hearing to gather views and recommendations from the community.