Media reports of the recent drive-by shooting at Sinamoga have raised public demands for Authorities to further tighten gun control laws in Samoa.

In recent raids on illegal drug operations, Police have seized firearms, cash, illegal drugs and paraphernalia linked to the use of methamphetamine.

Up to five years ago, our Police ran successful amnesty programmes that resulted in many illegal firearms being turned in and were publicly destroyed.

Such programmes helped remove illegal firearms from our streets and keep our communities safe.

There has also been widespread public concern about the recent importation of an air-freighted consignment of firearms by our Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Customs officials reportedly confiscated the consignment, because there was no special license issued to sell firearms.

But, in what is now normal practice, a way out was found for the honorable Minister.

Firearms and illegal drug trade are closely related.

This prompted a call from an HRPP MP for all Members of Parliament to be subjected to mandatory drug testing.

We await with much anticipation the agreement of our FAST MPs.

Our readers may also find the results quite enlightening.  

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP