On an auspicious autumn day, between October 9 and 11, 2023, Pol Gen Torsak Sukwimol, the National Police Chief, stole the headlines with an announcement that stunned the nation. The police force had managed to seize a colossal haul of more than 2,000 pistols as part of a rigorous gun crackdown initiative. (Credit: Somchai Poomlard)
The wheels were put in motion by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose bold declaration echoed through the gates of the ministry. Demonstrating his commitment to curbing gun violence, he penned an order, known officially as Por 12, suspending the issuance of firearm licences for an entire year. The secretary to the Interior Minister, Traisuree Taisaranakul shared this unexpected news.
Por 12, as per the weapon-related legislation, specifically the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive, Fireworks and Imitation Firearms Act, will soon be knocking on the development-oriented door of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, for approval. If all goes as envisaged, vows Taisaranakul, it will come into effect the day following its Royal Gazette announcement.
However, this unprecedented gun-control move isn’t all-encompassing. For instance, state officials, such as dedicated police officers, who need to carry firearms as part of their routine duty, are exempted from this order.
Suthipong Chulcharoen, the diligent permanent secretary for the interior, has wasted no time in amplifying the directive to the provincial governors. His simple directive — instruct their respective firearms registrars to cease issuing Por 12 licences.
What does this mean for the firearms registrars in the provinces? Their roster typically comprises provincial governors, district chiefs and deputy district chiefs. Meanwhile, the one holding the reins in Bangkok as the firearms registrar of a commanding stature, is none other than the director-general of the Provincial Administration Department.
Moreover, Chulcharoen has directed the firearms registrars to halt the issuance of new licences concerned with the importation and sale of imitation guns to current licenced holders. Additionally, those in possession of blank guns, BB guns, and imitation firearms capable of being altered into authentic weapons are required to register them locally.
The backdrop to these stringent measures is a spate of shootings that jolted the city of Bangkok. A collective outcry ensued from the public, denouncing the ease at which firearms licences were granted and advocating for tighter gun control regulations.
It all started with a nightmarish event on October 3 at the heart of the Siam Paragon shopping mall. A 14-year-old boy sent shockwaves through the vicinity when he embarked on a killing rampage, leaving a trail of three dead bodies and five injured bystanders in his wake.
Just over a month later, on November 11, the Sacred Heart Convent School in Bangkok’s Klong Toey district faced a traumatic incident. A beloved teacher fell victim to gang violence, tragically hit by a stray bullet during a conflict between rival student factions.
No more than a heartbeat later, a Mathayom 5 student aged 15 found himself at the wrong place and time in the Suan Luang district. A clash between antagonistic youth groups led to a stray bullet hitting the young bystander, emphasizing, yet again, the urgent need to curb such violent incidents and channel the energy of young minds into constructive endeavors.
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