DPS concerned with illegal handguns
The unknown number of illegal and unlicensed handguns out on the streets in the CNMI is a major concern for the Department of Public Safety, as unlicensed handguns pose a great risk to the life of law enforcers and residents, according to DPS Commissioner Robert Guerrero.
That’s why the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is investing more in the safety of all law enforcers, most especially police officers that are on duty or patrolling the streets. Guerrero and other DPS personnel presented to Torres the first batch of new bulletproof vests that will be issued to their police officers.
“It is the number of illegal handguns that is our biggest concern at DPS. Those handguns that are out on the streets, that is one reason why the governor pushed for these vests. These vests can protect our officers from handguns,” said Guerrero in Wednesday’s presentation at the Governor’s Office conference room.
Torres said the vests would give roving police officers extra protection when they are on patrol, whether on foot or using their vehicles. “It is for their safety and protection whenever they go out and work. These vests would protect them if there are any untoward incident,” said Guerrero
He said although officials don’t want any shooting incidents to happen in the CNMI, the vests are for precautionary measures. “We want to make it as strict as possible, the application for handguns. In case there are incidents where they are being shot at. In any event, they have something to protect them.”
Guerrero said they were also expecting a lot of applications for licenses to own handguns by private individuals after the U.S. District Court for the NMI early this year declared as unconstitutional the CNMI’s gun control law that prohibits residents from possessing handguns for self-defense purposes.
“Contrary to what we expected…that there would be an increase in the applications for permit to own handguns, there are only six applicants so far,” Guerrero said.
The CNMI Office of Homeland Security bought 160 vests through federal funds and donated 10 extra vests to DPS. The vests were issued yesterday to police officers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The vests cost about $100,000 in all.
Customs officials, the ports police, Fish and Wildlife personnel, and CNMI Judiciary marshals would also get bulletproof vests.
Guerrero said they also have seven new patrol cars with eight more that were ordered. Rota DPS will get two vehicles while Tinian DPS will buy their vehicles since they have their own funds. “The new vehicles are in line with the governor’s efforts to improve public safety.”
“There are more in the works as far as protecting our police officers [is concerned]. We can live even with limited resources but the governor is supporting what DPS needs.”
Until the recent District Court decision affirming the right to bear arm, the NMI government has abused this right by confiscating guns which are not registered with the local police. So, the right to own a hand gun, carbine rifle, 12 gauge shot gun is all perfectly legal without having to have a license or register with DPS. That being said, what gave DPS Chief Robert Guerrero the idea to say that those illegal and unregistered guns out in the streets are illegal and unlicensed and pose danger….I thought the court has made it very clear as to ownership to any of the above mentioned guns. Guerrero’s statement above sort of throw some mud into the picture thus raising a cloud of uncertainty.
WHY only now, these ‘vests’ were not brought in due to the “illegal” hand guns, it was stated at the time of the enactment of the 2nd amendment rights this would be done due to the “fear” (PANIC) that the NMI would be overrun with ‘legal’ handguns, which the prospective legal gun owners knew would not happen.
Years ago when I was with the Feds, we tracked and prosecuted a source of these “illegal” handguns from Guam and also intercepted a supply line from the Phil. (this source info was given to the NBI in the Phil. for their follow through)
All of the details was shared with the then Admin. (along with other appropriate agencies) But as far as we knew, locally, it was ‘discarded’ and not acted on. (as is the case so many times) most likely due to the incompetence from within the enforcement agency concerned.
Our involvement was specific and related to certain case(s) so was not a continuing ongoing concern.
By estimate at that time there were many hundreds of illegal weapons in the CNMI, including fully auto rifles out of the Phil.
It is even today so easy to bring in these weapons, (and drugs) especially hand guns from/through Guam.
You can order illegal handguns on the street today and pick them up within a week. some people in DPS are also “allegedly” involved along with “allegedly” much of the drugs especially on Tinian through Saipan. (Rota through Guam)
BTW much of this drugs and also automatic weapons originates from China and North Korea through the Phil..
Buenas captain,
Our higher ups don’t have a clue what type of weapons available on the streets of the CNMI. If you have the money, you would be able to purchase a firearms illegally in the CNMI. Some DPS is not allegedly dealing drugs, but they had been busted, convicted and served time and now they are ex-DPS.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase