The National Legislative Assembly on Wednesday deliberated on Firearms Control Bill 2015 on the second phase moving it to the third reading.
After lengthy discussions chaired by Acting Speaker Mark Nyipuoch Ubang it was unanimous passed to the third stage for amendments and final approval.
The Bill authorizes private licensing of small guns including pistols, says Samuel Duwar Deng, the assembly’s chairperson for Specialized Defence Committee.
The discussion on the bill is late, says Assembly Minority Leader Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec.
There are heavy guns in the hands of local people in cattle camps and communities posing insecurity all over the country, Adigo adds.
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State MP Alfred Wol Madit says South Sudan needs the arms control law more than any country in the world.
Over three million pieces of weapons are illegally possessed in the country, Wol says.
Such a figure is worrying, he regrets.
Warrap State MP, Aleu Ayieng Aleu says the arms control law will legalize and regulate possession of guns by citizens and allow firearms’ business in South Sudan.