Prime Minister James Marape is sending a big warning to those still holding on to illegal firearms to surrender them before Christmas Day, 25 December 2026 or face the consequences.

Prime Minister Marape is warning that those who continued to hold illegal guns or participate in the illegal firearms trade risked life imprisonment under the tougher penalties being proposed by the Government. 

He said the government has stepped up intelligence capabilities to identify individuals and criminal networks involved in the possession, financing, supply and trafficking of illegal firearms, making it easier to identify people in the wrong.

“Our intelligence capabilities have been stepped up, and I want everyone illegally holding firearms to surrender them before Christmas Day, 25 December 2026,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“Those who refuse to surrender their guns and continue to participate in the illegal firearms business must understand that they risk life imprisonment under the tougher laws we intend to introduce.

“This is a clear warning. Surrender your illegal firearms before 25 December 2026. We are strengthening our intelligence capabilities, and we will pursue those who continue to possess, finance, supply or trade in illegal weapons.”

The Prime Minister said the deadline was intended to give those holding illegal firearms an opportunity to surrender them while the Government moved to strengthen legislation and law enforcement operations.

Meanwhile, the prime minister has also announced his intention to review existing firearms legislation to impose much heavier penalties on illegal gun ownership and trafficking before the 2027 National General Election.

The review will consider life imprisonment for individuals illegally possessing firearms and those responsible for sponsoring, financing or purchasing illegal weapons.

“Before we go to the next election, I want us to step up the penalties,” he said.