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Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has announced a two-month gun amnesty aimed at ensuring the safety of world leaders attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October.
The amnesty, which began on August 1 and runs until September 30, is the third since 2015 and is aimed at reducing illegal guns and ammunition in the community.
“The purpose of the amnesty is to allow individuals who illegally possess firearms and ammunition to surrender them during the amnesty period without facing prosecution,” Fiame said at the launch of the 2024 Gun Amnesty. She stressed that security was of utmost importance at the upcoming CHOGM, of which Samoa will serve as the incoming chair.
Residents who participate in the amnesty will receive food vouchers worth 100 tala. Past amnesties have been notable successes, with a total of 596 guns and 725 rounds of ammunition seized since 2015.
The gun amnesty comes as Samoa prepares to host CHOGM, the first time a Pacific nation has hosted the biennial event.
Police Commissioner Auapao Logotino Filippo said nearly 200 police officers from Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia would assist Samoa during the conference to ensure security.
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