Bloggers opposed to gun move warn of social crisis
The public reaction in the virtual realm was overwhelmingly supportive of the move though there were dissenting views as well.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 October 19, 2009
- Reader comments (0)
-
Saudis grant licences for gun shops
Security experts feel the decision will help restrict illegal possession of weapons
-
Saudis act to curb illegal firearms
Privately owned gun shops will be required to obtain permission
Manama: When a Saudi website posted news that Saudis will be able to purchase handguns and other personal firearms openly for the first time following the interior ministry's announcement that it would licence privately owned gun shops, the public reaction in the virtual realm was overwhelmingly supportive of the move though there were dissenting views as well.
"This is wonderful news that will empower citizens to contribute to achieving security in the country. In such a vast country, the decision to allow people to buy guns will be highly positive. Of course there will be some negative aspects, but the move will definitely help put an end to the smuggling of weapons since they will be available and sold in an official manner," a blogger named ‘Salmeen' wrote.
‘Desert Liberal' welcomed the decision, "even though it has come a bit too late".
"Allowing people to buy guns will help eliminate many negative features that are widespread in our society. Now people with criminal intent will think much more carefully before they do anything evil," he wrote.
A blogger who signed in as ‘Crazy' said that the interior ministry's decision would help check cross-border smuggling.
"There will be less dangerous developments and risks at the borders and, very importantly, weapons and spare parts that used to be sold at exorbitant prices in the black market will now be much cheaper," he wrote.
But, not all voices welcomed the decision.
"It will be nice to have a gun for self-protection, but the problem is that the weapons will fall in the hands of young people who in fact need anger management courses. We might have a real social crisis because of the spread of weapons," Hanan wrote.
"The problem is that even if we have a law that will govern the possession and use of weapons, many people will flout it. Allowing people to buy guns is a big mistake, I am afraid."
‘Shooter', was also sceptical of the move. "You can imagine what will happen when people who have weapons do not get along or have sharp differences over an issue," he wrote.
Drawing the line
Abdul Wahab observed that a more sensible decision would have been to reinforce the powers of the security forces.
"There will be many questions that need prompt answers. For instance, will foreigners be allowed to possess guns... the self-defence argument applies to them as well? If someone kills a man who is trying to break into his house, is that a crime or is it self-defence? If someone insults another person and he takes out his gun and shoots him, is that preserving one's honour or is it murder? Where do we draw the lines," he wrote.
With more people joining the debates over the internet and on Facebook, the debate over allowing people to have their own guns is likely to deepen and find an echo in other countries in the region as well.
In Bahrain and Kuwait, where the possession of weapons is strictly banned by law, several people have said that they would strongly be against allowing people to have guns.
"Guns have always been part of the problem, not of the solution," said Ahmad Bin Hindi, a government official in Bahrain.
Noha Ahmad, a banker in Bahrain, said that more guns would mean higher crime rates. "We should be careful about allowing people to possess guns because that would inevitably lead to a surge in crime statistics. I know that some women would like to have a small gun in case they are assaulted, but I strongly oppose the move to allow people to have them," she said.
Kuwait, where the ownership of weapons jumped during the Iraqi invasion in 1990, has been equally firm in not allowing citizens or expatriates to possess firearms. In 2005, the parliament unanimously passed a law giving police wide powers to search for and seize illegal weapons. The decision was in response to a surge in Al Qaida-related violence.
"There are young people who have ... said they would defend Kuwait against potential enemies. We appreciate their love for the country; however, we tell them that this is not their role and that the public security forces and the army are responsible for defending Kuwait and its values," journalist Khalid Sultan said.
Share this article
Readers Comments
View all comments (0 comments)
Related Articles
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
Snowed-in workers get time off
'Historic' white-out leaves many without electricity while another storm could be on its way
-
Yanukovich leads by a slim margin
Results show the pro-Russia candidate garnering 48.29% to Tymoshenko's 46.09%
-
Prescott's wife recalls day he admitted to cheating
She talks openly in autobiography of inability to forgive him
