It was a high-stakes situation that unfolded in Siusega on Friday. It was a scene straight out of a movie. Commendations have to go to the Samoa Police and the members of the Chinese community to resolve the situation without any more shots being fired and loss of lives.

A Chinese national held his ex-wife at gunpoint after shooting a police officer in the shoulders. A stand-off that lasted more than three hours as police negotiated the release of the hostage. It was a situation that stemmed from a domestic dispute.

The police officer who was shot is recovering well and it was good fortune that this was not a fatality. Understandably, the Chinese national was nervous about surrendering himself to police officers after shooting one of them, however, this does not excuse his behaviour.

It is of concern that the businessman had illegal firearms, a handgun, and possibly an automatic pistol. This weapon is illegal and prohibited under the importation of firearms regulation. This is the biggest concern that has come from the situation.

Doing business in Samoa may be dangerous for some foreign nationals as they have been targeted by burglars and robbers, but guns will not solve this. 

Just like the gun finds during meth busts, this incident poses a serious question about screening and security at the border. This gives more backing to the statement by Police Commissioner Auapaau Filipo Logotini that meth and guns are sipping through the border. The spotlight is on the Ministry of Customs and Revenue.

The nation has a gun problem. It is not hard to get a gun. The biggest question that remains is how the guns which are prohibited come into the country. The notion of a lapse in border security has been protected by the minister responsible, however, the constant discovery of such weapons says otherwise.

It would be better to have an audit of customs and border security procedures by an independent firm. This would give us an idea about where we are lacking and where we need to pull up our socks.

There are dangerous guns out there. The police raids on drug peddlers have shown this. The fact that the type of firearms found in raids has not been surrendered in the gun amnesty also raises a concern. Experts have raised concerns about the presence of organised crime gangs in the Pacific. The discovery of illegal firearms also suggests the presence of such operations in the country.

The presence of guns drives fear within the community. This leads to property values falling and a lack of development in particular communities.

Gun laws need to be revisited. People should not be allowed to store guns at home. Police stations should be able to do that for them and only release them when needed. This reduces accessibility to guns.

The government needs to rethink its strategy starting with the police. The law enforcement agency is understaffed. This was brought out during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as more than 200 civilians were hired.

Protecting our borders from the illicit movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and people, while promoting lawful entry and exit, and lawful trade, is essential to homeland security, economic prosperity, and national sovereignty.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police said that effective border security must play a critical role in all governments’ national security plans.

In the strong interest of homeland security and the welfare of the national populace, particularly as it applies to the scourge of organised human and drug trafficking, immigration policy on the borders needs to be enforced and those agencies so tasked need to be supported financially and logistically to effectively carry out this policy.

Have a blessed Sunday.