Tuala-uta Representative Fagaima Larry Sanitoa believes parents and adults should be held accountable for the firing of bamboo cannons or faga ofe.
And he plans to introduce legislation to make that happen in the upcoming Fono session.
Fagaima said as the current prohibited weapons statute does not specifically ban or outlaw bamboo cannons the believes it’s time to amend the law.
“Given the serious safety concerns for our youth and the disruptive impact of these loud explosions on our elderly and young children, we need to create an effective law,” he said.
Fagaima has asked the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, attorney Nathaniel Savali to look into amending the law to include language to hold parents and adults accountable for any violations.
Tafuna resident Silia Wisneske wrote to Commissioner of Public Safety Taaga Saite Moliga to report the on going firing of bamboo canons near Hope House and Fatuoaiga. She said police officers from the Tafuna substation responded on December 21, 24 and 25th and stopped the activity at the time. However once the officers left, those involved retaliated, often firing the canons even louder and from different locations nearby.
“It seems the families are showing disrespect for our law enforcement, despite officers being present in our area,” she told the Commissioner.
Mrs Wisneske sad the canon firing is a public peace disturbance and there is nothing festive about the loud explosions that “shake our windows and disturb residents, including the elderly at Hope House.”
She wrote that the parents of children responsible should be held accountable.
KHJ News received reports of young people firing bamboo canons from the back of pickup trucks at different parts of the island.
