HANMI says no to gun bill

The image of the Northern Marianas should be maintained as a peaceful tropical paradise with beautiful nature, and as such, the Commonwealth doesn’t need more guns, says the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI).

In a survey of its members this week, the association found that the majority opposed both House Bill 12-212, which would allow for the establishment of shooting resorts, and House Bill 12-64, which would allow more government officials in selected departments such as Immigration, Parole officials and the Commonwealth Ports Authority to carry guns.

Several Japanese general managers who responded to HANMI’s survey remarked that television news stories aired in Japan over the past few years have portrayed the problems on the U.S. mainland as well as in Japan with school children and family members using guns against one another. It was noted that in the U.S., there is an ongoing national debate over whether gun laws should be made stricter, but yet the CNMI seems to want to go in opposite direction in bringing more guns into the community.

“Most Japanese think of guns along with a bad image. If Japanese tourists see guns being carried by government officials, they’re going to be afraid and wonder whether this place is really safe,” said one general manager.

“I am not amenable with the government in allowing more guns to the CNMI even for the purpose of shooting resort establishments. Although it will bring additional taxes and profit, what about our peaceful and quiet environment?” asked another.

“The beauty of the CNMI itself, being a tropical paradise, is what makes Japanese tourists come over here to experience the unique quality the island has to offer them, not the shooting resorts/galleries,” commented one hotel executive.

According to HANMI president Ronald D. Sablan, the anti-gun sentiments of the hotel general managers do not come as a surprise. “We’ve been saying for years that we should protect and promote our beautiful environment as the main attraction for visitors. The concerns that our Association members have been expressing generally repeat this theme,” said Mr. Sablan. “Although we all agree that we need more tourist attractions, we should not jump at the first thing that comes along simply because our tourism industry is down. We don’t have proper tourism master planning in place right now, but we’ve still got a responsibility to keep the big picture and long-term best interests of our community in mind.”

With regard to House Bill 12-64, the hotel executives also raised concern about proper training, inventory control and once again, the appearance to tourists that will arise if more government officials carry firearms. “As a tourist visiting Saipan and with all the stated agencies carrying firearms, it would lead me to the conclusion that the island is not very safe and that there is somewhat of an assumed danger or risk in existence, which may lead me to be looking over my shoulder every minute during my stay on island,” said one hotel general manager.

HANMI is a professional organization made up of the 18 leading hotels on Saipan and Tinian. Its membership represents over 66% of the CNMI’s hotel rooms.