Hi Tirths,
Pakistan’s gun culture and the worsening security situation are feeding off each other in a disturbing manner. Both have their roots in earlier governments’ misguided policies.
The state’s errors of omission and commission during the 1980s contributed significantly to the country’s now being awash in countless illegal arms. More recently, the state’s failure to protect the lives and property of its citizens has had the effect of promoting the ownership of arms. Citizens now face all manner of threats from terrorist attacks to other criminal activity; many ensure they have weapons for their own protection. Meanwhile, the country’s security apparatus is under direct attack by militant and terrorist groups and is consequently less circumspect while pulling the trigger.
The danger is reflected in two cases where guns were grossly misused. On Nov 25 in Peshawar, personnel riding an FC vehicle loosed off what a spokesperson called ‘speculative fire’ on a private car. Presuming he was under attack, the car’s driver accelerated. The FC personnel then opened fire, later maintaining that they aimed for the tyres. In fact the bullets hit the car’s driver and his seven-year-old niece, whose injuries were so severe that one of her legs had to be amputated with doctors struggling to save the other. The FC spokesman stated that though maximum restraint was exercised, in the current war-like situation such incidents could occur. Meanwhile, in Lahore, aerial firing during a wedding left two young men dead, while an elderly man was shot dead under similar circumstances at another wedding.
These cases represent the extremes of gun misuse. There is a need to counter the gun culture by reducing the number of arms available; but this must be accompanied by security for the citizens and extreme caution on the part of the law-enforcement agencies.
I am also unable to understand, why you have posted this link here, the link clearly states that the problem is with the “ILLEGAL ARMS”.
Let me clarify, we are trying to fight for Lawful Gun Ownership and purely against the abundance of Illegal Arms present in the country, mainly due to BAN on Import of Fire Arms. It is the law abiding citizens suffering due to the current ARMS ACT. The Illegal owners don’t follow ARMS ACT nor do they rely on IOF made products, they have much better options.
The Stats of CAFI show, that India has
40 million Fire arms out of which
39.1 million are Illegal.
So what are you afraid of my friend? The country already has abundance of Fire Arms; the problem is that these are in wrong hands. Hence, we the pro guns are trying our best to implement RKBA to change the current equation, to enable the Right of protection, for our self, our Family and Property.
Would appreciate you valuable views.
Ravi.
Believing Everybody is Dangerous; Believing Nobody is Very Dangerous..........