Economic vs safety Guns issue splits community

The controversial bill seeking to ease the tough gun control law in the CNMI remains a divisive issue in the community despite assurances by its proponents of stricter safety regulations within the proposed shooting resorts.

Dozens of island residents and local officials as well as prospective Korean investors turned out at a public hearing yesterday conducted by the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic, Development and Programs.

The hearing at the Senate chamber in Capitol Hill was the last in a series of town meetings tackling HB 12-212. The panel held discussion on Rota on Oct. 6 and on Tinian last Tuesday.

Committee chair Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes said the legislation has drawn mostly favorable support from the two earlier hearings, but added the panel still maintains “an open mind” on how it will fare in the upper house.

HB 12-212 has been at the heart of the debate between pro and anti-guns since the House of Representatives passed it in August in a split vote following concerns by some members on public safety.

Offered by House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta, the legislation will amend the Weapons Control Act to allow entry of currently-prohibited guns and ammunitions into the CNMI for use in proposed shooting resorts.

If this becomes law, it will permit patrons and guests of these resorts to carry within their premises 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.

“There’s general perception that this amendment is a proposal to allow citizens to bear arms. This is not necessarily true,” Mr. Reyes told reporters in an interview.

“It is a proposal to exempt some of the weapons that are not allowed to be used in a confined and controlled environment. This is what we want to impress to the public,” he said.

Pro-business

Proponents maintain such proposal is primarily intended to attract foreign investors and help spur economic growth, citing declining tourist arrivals and almost zero investments in recent years.

Opponents, however, contend that while they support the business agenda of the bill, they cannot compromise safety of the community to allow proliferation of deadly weapons in the Commonwealth.

But Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona testified again at yesterday’s hearing as he reiterated his support of the measure to boost the economy in his island municipality.

A young student from Rota also spoke before the committee, appealing to the senators for its immediate passage in order to provide job opportunities to new high school graduates.

Joleen Elena Ayuyu Ramos, 18, said she has found it difficult to help her parents make a living as jobs are very scare on the island. The part-time NMC students also pointed out HB 12-212 is one way for Rota to contribute to the Commonwealth’s revenues.

“This bill is not about guns, it’s about making ends meet,” she told the committee in a written testimony.

Speaking in dialect, Saipan resident Juan Cabrera urged legislators to give it a try, noting that many people on the islands own guns not because they use them to harm others, but for sports and recreation. “I love guns. Plenty people love guns,” he said.

Dangerous

Another Saipan resident, Remy Sablan, who claimed she represents the interests of all the mothers here, warned of its impact on the image of the CNMI, particularly Saipan which has lately been considered a “dangerous” destination for Japanese tourists.

She told senators that if investors want to build tourism facilities here, they should instead open horse racing or develop marine attractions because they are legal.

Most of the tourists who visit the islands are honeymooners and families who are not patrons of shooting galleries, Ms. Sablan said in her testimony which was in the vernacular.

“The type of guns in the bill may kill an elephant,” she said. “In as much as we need money, you need to screen the type of investments coming in. Kill this bill, we don’t need their money.”

While noting economic windfall of the measure, some government agencies hesitated giving their complete support and instead recommended additional safety net to avoid jeopardizing peace and order in the community.

Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Richard Seman said the bill could lead to illegal hunting and poaching since people may demand to exercise their rights to bear arms.

He said legislators should consider instituting an education program for hunters to preserve rare and protected species like the Marianas fruitbat.

Stricter regulations

Harry C. Blanco, executive director of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, echoed the need to take into account public safety in the efforts to revitalize the economy.

“Allowing pistols and handguns to be used at these resorts might be a deadly nightmare that might end in someone’s hands to be used for other than its purposes, and possibly to take some innocent person’s life,” he said.

Should it become a law, Mr. Blanco stressed stricter regulations will have to be carried out, such as accountability for all the weapons and ammunitions as well as sophisticated devices to track firearms in the resorts.

Ayuda Network is against legalization of high-powered guns and not the business of the resorts, according to its representative to the hearing, GDDC Director Thomas Camacho.

The group, which comprises various social and civic organizations here, is concerned of increase in crimes and potential abuse of the proposal. Mr. Camacho said they want lawmakers instead to strengthen existing gun law.

Former Speaker Pedro R. Guerrero also opposed HB 12-212, mainly because of the safety concerns. “We must be concerned and mindful of the fact that the type of weapons and ammunitions that will be allowed… may pose a possible threat and danger to our community,” he said in his written testimony.

He also expressed fear that the proposal could result to the CNMI being used by international organized crime as “a transshipment point” for these guns and ammunitions to other countries.

Hallmark

But Korean investors, who have submitted plans of the shooting resorts to the Senate committee for review, vouched for their qualifications in handling this type of business.

Hong Soon-Woo claimed he has been involved in shooting sports since 1969 and has served in various capacities in some of the international competitions, including as chief range officer for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

He is now a board director of the CNMI International Shooting Resorts that plans to set up three facilities for each of the island, with investments of over $20 million.

According to its local representative Frank Aldan, the projects will provide jobs for 100 locals and at least $1 million in direct taxes to the government.

He called the project a “hallmark,” with modern facilities and equipment complying with the international standards and regulations.

The shooting resorts will create an industry of its own and open up the islands to new market of visitors, Mr. Aldan told senators during the day-long hearing.

“This will provide worldwide exposure for the CNMI as destination for Asia-Pacific shooting sports,” he said.

The CNMI International Shooting Resorts joins Union Rich Saipan in developing these resorts. Company officials have earlier pitched their project, pledging to invest over $25 million on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.