Teno shoots down ‘shooting resort’ bill

Amid concerns over safety of the islands to both residents and tourists, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday vetoed legislation seeking to ease tough gun control law in the CNMI to cater to so-called “shooting resorts” proposed by Korean investors.

He said he could not compromise public safety over economic benefit of the measure despite assurances by proponents that use of these high-caliber weapons would be tightly guarded and restricted within the proposed resorts.

“Although the bill was aimed at boosting our ailing economy, this is not the type of development supported by our private sector or by our citizens,” the governor said in his veto message.

Mr. Tenorio emphasized his disapproval in allowing proliferation of firearms in the Commonwealth as he noted the strong opposition raised by various sectors in the community against HB 12-212.

“My position on gun issues has always been consistent — except for law enforcement officers in the line of duty, I am opposed to any increase in the availability or use of firearms,” he explained.

“The importation and use of high-caliber firearms, which this bill would invite, presents risks of danger to the public which are too great. Concern for public safety must outweigh any economic consideration,” added the governor.

The veto came less than three weeks after the bill was amended by the Senate and accepted by the House in one of their last sessions before the holiday season.

Mr. Tenorio previously has made his sentiment publicly known during an audience last month with a group of high school students in his office in which he responded negatively to a question whether he would sign the bill into law.

Filed by House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta, HB 12-212 sought to relax the Weapons Control Act to permit patrons and guests of the proposed shooting resorts to carry within their premises handguns, shotguns and rifles as well as ammunition with caliber 22, 32, 38, 45, 9 mm, 12 gauge, 410 gauge and 5.56 mm.

Divisive

Since its introduction last August in the lower house, the legislation has been at the heart of debate between pro and anti-guns advocates, with lawmakers underscoring economic windfall of the proposal.

Prospective investors, mostly Korean tying up with their local representatives, lobbied hard to draw support of the Legislature, bringing even some of the senators to South Korea to see for themselves how the business operates.

They also enticed them with promises of $25 million minimum capital to develop similar resorts here as well as international shooting competitions, provided the government gave them the license to bring in those guns to the islands.

At least two investors, Union Rich Saipan and CNMI International Shooting Resorts, pledged to pump money into the local economy if the bill was signed into law.

But their promises failed to convince the governor who said he had received several calls from the public asking him to veto the bill.

Even the Marianas Visitors Authority indicated its opposition to the measure, saying it would only destroy the image of the islands as safe destination for tourists.

In a bid to allay fears, proponents had explained the guns would only be used in the resorts and carrying of these firearms would comply with international regulations ensuring safety use.

They also maintained such action was primarily intended to attract foreign investors and help spur economic growth, citing declining tourist arrivals and almost zero investments in recent years.