Man arrested with gun

JAKARTA (JP): A 32-year-old man has been arrested in West Jakarta for illegally possessing a FN 45 handgun.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said officers found the gun when they detained the man, Hartono Kusnadi, of Bintaro, West Java, during a routine check of commuters on Jl. Sukarjo Suryopranoto Wednesday night.

Police also seized 13 nine mm. caliber bullets, a magazine for the gun, a Sigsaur, and a knife, he said.

Aritonang said that during routine checks, police stop drivers to ensure that they have their identity cards and vehicle documents with them. They frisk the drivers if necessary.

Hartono reportedly told police he bought the gun from a man a couple of months ago for around Rp 4 million (US$1,200), but claimed he did not remember the man.

"He said he used the gun for shooting practice. We're still checking to see if he's a member of any shooting clubs here," Aritonang said.

According to Article 1 of the 1951 Law Number 12 on illegal possession of guns and explosives, a person found guilty of possessing a firearm without a license could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. (cst)