Man nabbed for illegal arms possession

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police arrested a graduate of a private law school in Jakarta on charges of illegally possessing firearms.

The 34-year-old suspect, Stephanus, also known as Ipan, was arrested at his house in Karang Tengah subdistrict, Ciledug district, Tangerang, on Sunday at about 10:30 p.m.

"We arrested him based on a tip from the public," said city police detective Adj. Comr. Gunawan.

Police also seized three weapons from the suspect's house -- a .22 caliber Barreta, a .25 caliber FN pistol and a gas gun. They also confiscated nine bullets and an empty bullet casing.

Ipan said the Barreta and FN pistol were given to him by an acquaintance he identified as Candra, a resident of Jl. Matraman in East Jakarta.

"He offered to sell me the FN for Rp 25 million (US$2,941). He also asked me to keep the Barreta," Ipan told reporters at Jakarta Police Headquarters.

Ipan said he bought the FN in March and paid just Rp 5 million to Candra, who promised to obtain an ownership certificate for him.

The suspect said he bought the gas gun in Cihampelas, Bandung, at the end of 2002.

He said he was unaware a series of psychological and gun safety tests had to be passed before a person could obtain a certificate allowing them to posses firearms.

"I don't know the procedures," Ipan said.

Police said Candra has been at Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta since being sentenced for the possession of drugs and firearms in April.

Ipan said he kept the weapons for self-defense.

"I bought the pistols to defend myself and my family after we were robbed in 1991," he said.

He has been charged with violating Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on the illegal possession of firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of death.