Citation(s) from the Gun Policy News media archive
DPS Makes the Case for Arming the Police
Says DPS is considered by other U.S. police depts as security guards
Samoa News
20 March 2014
Relevant contents
In their move to arm the police officers, the Department of Public Safety informed Senators in a hearing on Monday that between 2006 and 2012, the police confiscated close to 80 guns as a result of raids and criminal cases.
During the hearing on the hot issue of arming the police officers or first responders in the patrol division, Police Commander Tauese Va'a Sunia in a power point presentation noted that of the 78 guns they have confiscated, there were 63 rifles ranging from 20 gauge to 12 gauge, along with 22-caliber rifles, and five shotguns. They also collected ten handguns, which were 38 Revolvers, 9-millimeters and 357-magnums.
DPS Commissioner Haleck has assured Senators that there would be extensive training prior to arming the officers…
Other seizures and confiscations of illegal firearms, were by Customs, who found them during attempts to smuggle them into the Territory, and they were later turned over to the police. According to the presentation, between 2008 and 2012 Customs agents uncovered guns ranging from 12 gauge shotguns, to 22 rifles, an M1 rifle and an AK-47.
Tauese stated the AK-47 is a powerful gun and its appearance in the territory is rare, as it is Russian made.
The Customs agents between 2008 and 2012 also confiscated live ammunition or bullets from containers that came through the port or the airport…
The Police Commander further noted firearms registered in the territory between 2002 and 2013 totaled 172, and these weapons included shotguns, rifles and pistols…
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