Ayuda Network: Reject bill easing gun control

By Marian A. Maraya

Staff Reporter

The Ayuda Network, an alliance of Northern Marianas human and social service providers, has urged lawmakers to throw out a legislation that seeks to ease laws on gun control in fear that it would result to proliferation of crimes in CNMI.

The 27-member group representing various private and public agencies wrote last week to the Senate expressing unified opposition to the legislation which lawmakers hope would lure developers into the Commonwealth by offering alternative forms of recreation through shooting practices and target ranges.

“As the alliance of private and public social services networking to combat various forms of abuses and social dilemmas, we oppose this legislation,” said the organization’s president, Thomas J. Camacho.

“We believe in firm unison that one of the most effective ways to combat the involvement of guns in crimes and suicides is to keep guns out of the use of such users,” the group said.

The organization further expressed belief there is a correlation between increased crimes and suicides to the availability of firearms in the community.

“Since the bill shows potential to abuses that may increase through gun availability, we urge this important body to revoke this legislation,” Mr. Camacho appealed to Committee on Resource, Economic Development and Programs Chair Pete P. Reyes.

Lawmakers, he added, should instead strengthen gun control to reduce gun-related maiming, trauma, and suffering.

The proposed bill, which is seeking to amend the Weapons Control Act, is now up for Senate action.

Sponsored by Rep. Oscar Babauta, the act narrowly passed the lower house with six “yes” votes and four “no” votes. Four members of the House abstained.

The House Committee on Commerce and Tourism said the legislation is an incentive to attract major developers of so-called “shooting resorts” that will provide tourists non-traditional activities such as target ranges for rifle competition and skeet shooting with shotguns.

Amending the existing gun control laws in the CNMI is one of the steps the island government must take if it wants any developer to infuse at least $3 million in fresh investment, said a report prepared by the committee chaired by Rep. Florencio T. DL Guerrero.

The bill seeks to permit patrons and guests of the “shooting resorts” within their premises to carry handguns, shotguns and rifles as well as ammunition.