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Church warns vs. easing of gun control law
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Posted on Sep 07 2000
Bishop Tomas A. Camacho has cautioned Senate President Paul A. Manglona against the passage of a proposed measure that will ease the entry of handguns into the CNMI by allowing investors in resort developments to offer shooting practice and target ranges.
In a letter to the Senate president, Bishop Camacho reminded the lawmaker not to comprise the safety of the people in order to boost the island’s tourism economy.
“This will open CNMI up not only to the importing of handguns and target rifles but also to automatic weapons whose only purpose is for the mass destruction of life,” Bishop Camacho said.
House Bill 12-212 will amend the existing Weapons Control Act in hopes to lure major developments of so-called “shooting resorts” that will provide to tourists non-traditional activities such as target ranges for rifle competition and skeet shooting with shotguns.
He reminded the Senate president on the consequences of allowing exceptions to the gun control law which will most likely result in the court declaring it unconstitutional.
“I can only hope and pray that the Senate will see this bill for what it is, opening the door to flooding our islands with armed violence such as we have not seen. The bill may be well-intentioned but once passed, the consequences are inevitable,” the bishop said.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram has recommended the inclusion of strict provisions in the proposed legislation to ensure the safety of the community.
Mr. Ingram has cautioned the CNMI officials against hastily jumping into investments that promises to provide economic benefits at the expense of the safety of the residents.
The House Committee on Commerce and Tourism said amending the existing gun control laws in the CNMI is one of the steps that the island government must take if the wants any developer to infuse at least $3 million in fresh investments.
