Punishment not harsh enough

I FIND it ludicrous that a passenger attempting to board an aircraft with a pistol and ammunition was fined only $2,500 (South China Morning Post, April 14).

This American tourist attempted to board a United Airlines flight at Kai Tak with an unlicensed pistol and six rounds of ammunition, but was only fined for carrying a pistol and ammunition without licences. Surely there must be stiffer penalties for suchattempts.

If this is the only charge, then the Hongkong Government needs to be admonished as it certainly lags behind international standards regarding air safety.

Will someone please clarify this issue.

DAVID J. LINEHAN Mid-Levels