Papua New Guinea's Police Minister has put a moratorium on the issue of any new gun licences after two policemen were killed in a spate of post-election violence in the highlands.
Jelta Wong said no new licences would be issued for "an indefinite period".
"The Government is taking this measure because of the increasing number of gun-related violence and killings reported in certain parts of the country in recent times," he said.
"These include the shooting deaths of four policemen — two in Enga at the height of the recently concluded 2017 national general elections and two in Southern Highlands Province within the past few days."
The last time PNG enacted such a measure was in 2000.
The Government also tried a gun amnesty in January, and sent troops and police to Hela Province in response to a rise in gun violence.
It extended the security callout to other provinces after the election.
The conduct of the 2017 election was widely criticised, and disputes over results led to violent protests and killings.
Mr Wong said the Royal PNG Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force and the corrections service would be exempt from the moratorium.
