TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1984
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+WE ENJOY FREE SPEECH, ARE FREE TO CRITICISE AND CONDEMN AND TO PRAISE.
+EACH DAY AN AVALANCHE OF WORDS AND INFORMATION, IN THE PRESS AND ON THE AIR, OF EVERY SHADE OF OPINION ENSURES A LIVELY DEBATE AND ENABLES THE MEN AND WOMEN OF HONG KONG TO DECIDE THINGS FOR THEMSELVES AND TO FORM THEIR OWN OPINIONS,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
THERE WERE ALSO THE FREEDOM TO OWN PROPERTY AND THE FREEDOM OF OUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM, HE SAID.
LIFE TERM FOR ARMS OFFENCES BACKED
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THE POSSESSION, AND PARTICULARLY THE USE, OF FIREARMS AND CONVERTED OR IMITATION FIREARMS IN THE FURTHERANCE OF A CRIME WAS VERY SERIOUS, THE HON CHARLES YEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IT OFTEN LED TO THE DEATH OF, AND INJURY TO, MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, WHOM THE LAW WAS COMMITTED TO PROTECT, MR YEUNG SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
+THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS, THEREFORE, RECOMMENDED STIFFENING THE PENALTY FOR POSSESSION AND USE OF FIREARMS SO THAT OFFENDERS MAY BE IMPRISONED FOR LIFE, THUS PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY FROM HEINOUS AND HARD CORE CRIMINALS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING DETERRENT TO WOULD BE OFFENDERS,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECT OF THE BILL WAS TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE.
+SPECIFICALLY, IT SEEKS TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BY INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES INVOLVING THE USE OF FIREARMS OR IMITATION FIREARMS IN CRIME AND BY MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO CONVICT A PERSON OF THE LESSER ALTERNATIVE OFFENCE OF SIMPLE POSSESSION UNDER THE ORDINANCE, IF THE PROSECUTION SHOULD FAIL TO PROVE A GRAVER CHARGE OF POSSESSION OF IMITATION FIREARMS WITH CRIMINAL INTENT, HE SAID.
+ IN THIS CONTEXT, THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF MAXIMUM PENALTIES FROM 14 YEARS TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR SERIOUS CASES OF THE POSSESSING, CARRYING OR USING OF FIREARMS WITH CRIMINAL INTENT OR WITH INTENT TO ENDANGER LIFE OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESISTING ARREST. IS MOST APPROPRIATE AND HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, HE ADDED.
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