Firearms in the hands of reckless denizens
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 12, 2023 -

YOUTH Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) is not the first non-governmental organisation to raise concerns over cases of reckless use of service weapons and licensed firearms as every incident that caused deaths or injuries in the past had also evoked strong criticism and vocal calls for enacting stringent gun laws.

Citing recent incidents of armed attacks and disturbing instances of haughty attitude by those in possession of firearms, the Forum has appealed to the government to take up necessary measures for preventing further proliferation of deadly weapons in the society.

As similar proposals had been already made but to no avail till date it could be safely stated that neither the government authorities would lose sleep over such an issue nor would the civil societies sustain the demand for harnessing the haughty license arms holders with the belief that law of the land will take its own course of action.

As there had been occasional incidents of unrestrained use of license guns in the state it is obvious that the number of gun licenses issued in the state has been on the rise and as such usage of the same to settle personal scores or for protective firing would be common excuses.

While it has become a disturbing fashion statement to possess and exhibit licensed weapons at public places, firing celebration shots in connection with marriage ceremony, in inebriated condition over arguments or simply for revelry, and during New Year parties are quite common these days, all indicating proliferation of legitimate as well as illegal firearms.

In general, common citizens don't really need guns in the state and this has been the case until few years back when possession of licensed firearms used to be mostly confined to people from political families, top officials who faced threat from outlawed organisations and to an extent those who have ill-gotten wealth.

Even if one has weapon, it should be kept under lock and key as per standard practice across the world.

However, it seems that the rules and guidelines for issuance of firearms in the state have been relaxed tremendously as could be comprehended from the significant number of licensed guns deposited at police stations in the run-up to elections, leaders of civil society organisations possessing gun license, youth in their mid-20s and 30s feeling at ease carrying firearms, and many contractors figuring among the gun license holders.

With growing population of license gun holders, it would be unthinkable that either the government or the civil societies would endorse demand for blanket ban on issuance of gun license.

Ideally, every sane person would like to live in a society where civilians don't have weapons.

But taking into account of the past few bloody incidents due to mishandling of licensed guns, there might come a time when children shoot their classmates with weapons furtively taken from their parents and loved ones getting killing in accidental firing.

As such, it is imperative that authorities concerned order thorough investigation of all incidents involving misuse of licensed weapons and identify the root cause so as to minimise chances of fatal shooting incidents.