missing the target: firearm policy & practice in thai society

Firearm policy and practicein Thai society:

Tassanee TanakornsombutChutimas SuksaiChayanit PoonyaratYeshua Moser-Puangsuwan

A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International

Missing the Target

ISBN

Bangkok 2005

Published by:

Reduction of Armed Violence ProjectNonviolence InternationalSoutheast Asia office104/20 Soi 124 Latprao,Wangtonglang, Bangkok 10310 SIAMtel/fax +662934 3289rav@nonviolenceinternational.netwww.nonviolenceinternational.net/rav

Cover Photo Credits:

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© Nonviolence International | Use of material is encouraged with acknowledgement

Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?1

Firearm policy and practicein Thai society:

Tassanee TanakornsombutChutimas SuksaiChayanit PoonyaratYeshua Moser-Puangsuwan

Missing the

Target

A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society

by Nonviolence International


2

At Pak Phanang School two students were shot todeath and three others were injured by a seventeen year-old student, who stole a 9 mm pistol from his father. Theincident has sparked concern and worry in Thai society.According to the media, the young man shot a classmatewith whom he had lost a fight. He began firing once hesaw his father approaching, who had discovered that thegun was missing. The bullets hit two female classmatesand two male classmates, including his rival peer. Oneschoolgirl died during the transfer to hospital and therival student died a few days later after being admitted incritical care unit. (The Nation, 7 June 2003)

Only a day later, a Bangkok high school boy wentto his ex-girlfriend house and demanded to see her. Asthe girl refused to talk to him, the boy got furious andshot the girl’s uncle with a .38 calibre handgun he hadtaken from his father. (The Nation, 9 June 2003)

According to their parents, neither young man dis-played any previous delinquency or violent behavior, norhad they witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. Theguns used in both shootings were legally registered, inboth cases by the the boys’ fathers, who obtained the gunsfor self-defense. The father of the first student who shothis classmates revealed that he had taught the boy how toshoot, and encourage his son to practice sport shooting.


The two incidents on the previous page highlight the impact of

widespread gun possession in Thai society. This report is based on data

collected from firearms-related news in Thai daily newspapers, supple-

mented with Royal Thai Police data. Our findings challenge common

beliefs about firearms in Thai society and propose policy changes regard-

ing possession of firearms.

One of the beliefs that this report challenges is the ordinary as-

sumption that only illegal firearms are used in crimes. Along with this

assumption is another that believes firearm-related violence occurs mostly,

if not only, by criminals and between strangers. Most importantly, society

truly believes that obtaining a firearm will increase personal security or a

person’s ability to defend himself and his property. Re-examining these

beliefs and myths, this report argues that far from making people safer,

firearms are a root cause of violence in our society.

This report is based on newspaper reporting, and methodically re-

corded 529 stories on firearm violence from the two national newspapers

with the broadest circulation, Daily News and Khao Sot, over a 2 year

period from January 2000 to December 2001. Our newsbase does not

provide a comprehensive statistic on firearm casualties, since it contains

only events which were considered newsworthy by editors. Hospital and

police records are capable of providing an accurate record of firearm

incidents by type of injury, or law broken. However, by making an analy-

sis based on data within news stories we can reveal the social dimension

of firearm incidents.

Our news analysis does not pretend to be a complete survey of gun

violence in Thailand, but does reveal patterns of gun violence and use in

society which challenge popular assumptions. The information within

our survey provides a strong argument for the implementation of an

absolute ban on possession by ordinary citizens of lethal firearms.

Data collection and data base development for this report were com-

pleted by Tassanee Tanakornsombut. The initial analysis of the newsbase

was done by Chutimas Suksai, and final analysis and editing by Chayanit

Poonyarat. Conceptualization, continuity and and overall project direc-

tion were by Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan. This project ran from 2001 to

2004, and received generous support from the Small Arms Survey, Ge-

neva Switzerland, and Nonviolence International.


4

Firearm violence: the role of legally registered firearms

Regulations on private possession, carrying, and use of firearms in

Thailand are more permissive than in neighboring countries in the South-

east Asian region.1

Two organizations are responsible for firearm statistics of the na-

tional level in Thailand – the Department of Local Administration who

register and issue permits to possess and carry firearms, and the Royal

Thai Police who issue permits to transfer firearms. Civilians are allowed

to possess only certain types of pistols and rifles. In Thailand, one may

only apply for a firearm license for the following reasons: the defense of

person or property, hunting, sports, or collection. The applicants of such

license must be at least 20 years of age.2 Firearm possession licenses in

Thailand have no expiry time, but permits to carry a firearm are valid for

only one year, and need to be renewed annually.3

Minimal restrictions have allowed approximately 4 million firearms

to be legally purchased and registered by the year 2000. However, experts

admit that no one really knows how many firearms, legal or illegal, are

actually in the country, and it is assumed to be substantially more. Many

legally produced and/or imported weapons are, at some point, diverted

to illicit circuits.4 As reflected in our newsbase, the end users of firearms

– people who use firearms to kill or injure others – are not limited only

those with licenses but can be anyone who can access a firearm.

60 handguns were hijacked by armed men from a warehouse atDon Muang airport and were later intended for gun shops in HatYai. The action was caught on tape by a security video camera.The crime is suspected to be a conspiracy between soldiers andgunshop owners. Gun shop could each legally import only 30firearms a year and some operators resorted to legal loopholes toacquire more. They had government import extra guns for them,under the cover of programs subsidizing the purchase of weaponsfor use by police and military officers.

(Bangkok Post, 14 April 2001)


The Weapon

Handguns are the most

common, and most com-

monly used, weapon in fire-

arm violence in Thailand.

According to our newsbase,

handguns account 75 per

cent for all firearms-related

violence.

It is pistols and revolv-

ers, not war weapons as com-

monly suggested by the cur-

rent Thai government, which are used in firearm violence, and which

civilians are allowed to possess and are correspondingly easily accessible.

There were 158,983 permits issued for private possession handguns dur-

ing 2000 to 2002, by the Department of Local Administration.

Easy and widespread availability of firearms for the common citi-

zens in Thailand has not been accompanied by lower crime and death

rates, and it is time that this policy is reviewed.

Conflict resolution- through firearms

In Thailand, law allows a citizen to apply for a license for private

possession of firearms where the purpose is ‘defense of person or prop-

erty.’5 This emphasis on private protection is a result of the fact that the

state is popularly perceived to fail to provide security for society. When

arms acquisitions are driven by popular perception of security sector

failure, “privatization of security”6 is talking place.

Thailand has some of the most permissive laws for firearm posses-

sion in Southeast Asia. It also has the highest homicide rate in the region

according to police statistics registered with the international police agency,

Interpol.7 Analysis of firearm use in Thai news reports on firearm vio-

lence reveal that in Thailand, guns are used mostly for dispute resolution,

not for security, nor for self-defense.

Disputes comprise the majority of all firearm use and account for

41 per cent, including common disputes, domestic disputes and business

arguments. A further 8 per cent are revenge (unresolved disputes), fol-


6

lowed by only 16 per cent attributed to crime.

Suicide comprises a further 8 per cent, followed by 7 per cent dur-

ing police operations- many of them in narcotics related conflicts.8 The

remain incidents were for unknown moti-

vation, but only 1 per cent were considered

self-defense.9

Our newsbase re-

veals that people can be-

come victims of fire-

arms even though they

are not the party of con-

flict. News of unin-

tended victimization and

self inflicted accidents were common.

Accidental shooting in 2001 accounts for 2.9

per cent and is expected to increase given

the increasing numbers of citizens obtaining firearms every year, the lack

of any restrictions on obtaining a firearm by the state and uncontrollable

and unaccountable weapon check system.

According to Health Information Division, Ministry of Public

Health, during 2000 and 2001, homicides were the second leading cause

of non-disease deaths in Thailand (traffic accidents were first).10

The fact that some private citizens arm themselves against crime is

a symbol of a popular perception that there has been a failure to build

safe and secure society, a lack of confidence in the police to provide

personal security, or both. However our analysis of real events as re-

ported by the media reveal that the private acquisition of firearms actu-

ally threatens the safety of society at large, as well as the individual gun

owner.

We challenge the assumption that “guns equal safety” because:

·Having a gun suggests the owner is already prepared for a violent and

potentially lethal response to a any perceived threat, and may be less likely

to explore alternatives. The gun becomes the first, rather than the last,

resort.

·Guns are a machine designed to kill human beings. Having them in-

stantly accessable significantly increases the chances of a fatality occur-

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ring in the home. If it is ‘readily available’ how do the owners prevent

children or other family members from reaching it? Keeping them with-

out ammunition, or locking them in a safe conflicts with their perceived

‘security enhancing’ function.

·While having a gun may make the carrier feel safer, it does not trans-

late into actual security. Data reveals that defensive gun use increases the

risk of injury or death, both to the gun carrier and innocent bystanders,

as armed attackers are virtually certain to open fire.

·Available firearms are in danger of being used, and as media reports

reveal are commonly used, by ordinary people, who are temporarily un-

der the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while they are overcome by

anger or depression.

The ‘intimate enemy’

Unlike the common belief that people become victims of firearms

only by criminals or strangers, our news analysis reveals most victims are

injured or killed by person with whom they have pre-existing relation-

ships, or whom they even know well. Family members, friends and spouses

together account for 34 per cent of the total 529 injuries and homicide

cases committed, compared to criminals and strangers who together ac-

count for 16 per cent of the database. 11 These figures reflect the fact that

the risk of being victimized by firearms is not likely to need a ‘criminal’,

it only needs someone who can access to a firearm.

Focusing on the female victim group in particular, the data shows

that 48 per cent of these

women are victimized by

their spouse; 18 per cent by

their friends and acquaint-

ance; and 8 per cent by fam-

ily members.

13 per cent of all fe-

male firearm victims are

killed by strangers and only

3 per cent are killed as

crime-related violence.

Very few women in

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8

Thailand are perpetrators of firearm violence, which is common when

compared to firearm violence in other countries.

Handguns: weapon of choice in Thailand

Our newsbase indicates that handguns are the most widely accessi-

ble and the most widely used firearm in Thailand, accounting for 75 per

cent of all firearm use. Rifles/shotguns (13 per cent) and assault rifles (4

per cent) are not common. The latter are used mainly by organized crime,

while handguns can, and are, accessed by people of all occupations. Any-

body who can access a gun, regardless of who “legally” owns it, can

become a potential perpetrator.

Handguns are not limited only to the criminal class and police. Stu-

dents, businesspeople, farmers, even Buddhist monks do access hand-

guns, both legally or illegally. Handguns are also the “firearm of choice”

among civilians for the resolution of disputes and interpersonal con-

flicts.

Despite the clear ‘professional’ access to firearms the police and

military personnel have, civilians compete for virtually equal status of

access to handguns (44 to 43 per cent).

Police officers comprise the single largest category of handgun us-

ers (32 per cent), other occupations who use handguns include criminal

(13 per cent), businessperson (10 per cent), manual laborer (7 per cent),

government officer (6 per cent), military personnel (5 per cent), student

(5 per cent) and vendors (3 per cent). Robbers, Buddhist monks and other

occupations each account for 2 per cent of all handgun users.

In the case of injury or the case of death, handguns are the leading

cause, when compared to all other types of firearm injuries and deaths

(69 per cent and 72 per cent respectively). Other types of firearms, ex-

cluding grenades, account for less than 30 per cent of deaths and injuries.

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Victim-based analyses of media re-

ports challenges the assumption that

elimination of only war weapons, as the

current government has proposed, is

enough to curb firearm-related casualties.

Although a proposal to address the cur-

rently almost uncontrolled spread of

handguns was made by Prime Minister

Taksin to close down all gun shops within

5 years, no serious follow up of the pro-

posal is known to be taking place. Nei-

ther have any measures been revealed as

to how it would be effectively rendered.

Most importantly, apart from curbing

crimes and murders, a general firearm ban

on civilians must be accompanied by se-

curity sector reform to provide real secu-

rity in Thai society.

According to our newsbase rifles-

shotgun users included farmers, fisher-

men, criminal, manual laborers, govern-

ment officers, police, students and ven-

dors respectively, while assault rifles us-

ers were a mixture of farmers, fishermen,

businessperson, military personnel and criminals.

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10

Firearms are every place, everywhere

Many people would believe that their home is a safe haven; how-

ever, our newsbase analysis reveals that place of accommodation and the

domestic sphere is a

significant place of

firearm victimiza-

tion in Thailand.

According to

media reports in our

newsbase, 35 per

cent of firearms vic-

timization takes

place in a person’s accommodation or residence. 37 per cent occur in

public areas, and a disturbing 17 per cent take place in supposedly “gun

free zones”12 – places where it is not expected that weapons should be

carried, or where weapons are to be inspected and confiscated before

entering, such as airport (1 case), Cafés (1), clinics (1), detention camps

(1), election unit (1), government offices (7), government clinics (2) and

hospitasl (3).

Of the 37% which took place in public areas, such as public roads,

walk ways, bus stops, shopping centers, these incidents had the potential

to injure or kill other people in addition to the conflicting parties, and in

several cases, did. The detailed analysis of victimization landscape of

female victims in particular reveals that it is more likely for women to be

victimized at their own homes rather than public areas (see section on

women).

The only way to ensure more safety against firearm-related violence

in public places- without militarizing an entire society -is to restrict wide-

spread access to weapons while simultaneously building confidence in

the security sector to responsibly protect society for the cases a weapons

ban will not prohibit.

Gun-culture Consumption

Gun-related consumption refers to the purchase and/or use of prod-

ucts that mirror and strengthen gun culture. They can be graded accord-


ing to how actively involved the consumer is as follows:

·Low levels of participation such as gun magazines

·Intermediate levels of participation including computer, play station

and arcade games, in which the firing of a weapon is simulated.

·High levels of participation such as toy guns, paintball and shooting

authentic guns for sport.

Despite differences in the levels of player involvement, all these

consumables reinforce gun culture in Thailand, teaching consumers that

aggression, violence and the use of guns are normal or acceptable. Such

consumer activity maybe viewed as harmless or emphasize their ‘enter-

tainment value.’ Nonetheless, purchase and/or use of gun-related prod-

ucts encourages a social attitude that guns are integral to life, increasing

the demand

for guns by

p o r t r a y i n g

them as nor-

mal or glam-

orous and by

belittling the

reality of fire-

arm violence

and its physi-

cal, psycho-

logical, social

and economic

costs.13

A study End Youth Violence documents how video games and violent behavior inmotion pictures play a role in educating youth to assume violence as an acceptableform of social behavior, and can be a contributing factor in the decision to use violenceas a conflict resolution tool. As children and youth play these video games, they become less understanding ofthe real consequences of violence upon others. In the video games, it is all right to usea weapon, shoot people and take their lives. The consequence of being shot in thesegames is OK, because you’re brought back to life at the click of a button.The study also revealed the utilization by the U.S. military of video games as a tool intraining soldiers in preparation for combat. (James Miller, Youth Violence: An International Crisis.Inspired Parenting.)


12

Firearm violence and Women

Although women victims

comprise a minority in this

newsbase, they reveal a consist-

ent pattern of being victimized

by someone with whom they

have a pre-existing relation-

ships – inclusive, but not lim-

ited to, their spouses, family

member, friends or acquaint-

ance, employees and colleagues.

2 per cent of women commit-

ted suicide and 1 per cent are victims of kidnapping where a relationship

with the perpetrator was likely.

Homicides against women are surrounded by mythology and sen-

sationalism that suggests women are typically murdered by a depraved

rapist or mugger who jumps from a dark alley or breaks into a home. The

data shows that most women are shot at home in domestic violence situ-

ations (55 per cent) than on the streets, and rarely at the hands of intrud-

ers. Women are also victims of accidental shootings or by perpetrators

who are under the influence of drugs who sieze an accessible firearm.

Often, threats of use of a firearm within a household, virtually always by

their known aggressors, are overlooked or unreported in the media, until

the aggression escalates to seri-

ous physical injury or death this

type of domestic terrorism goes

unacknowledged.

Contrary to what people

believe of home as a protected

place, or that a house equipped

with a gun is a safer residence, our analysis indicates the presence of a

gun increases the risk of homicide or suicide for women in a home. In

short, Firearms in home do not make Thailand safer for women.

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In Bangkok, a 32 year-old man shot hiswife to death after she asked him fordivorce. He then killed himself with theweapon. (Khoa Sod, 27 October 2000)


Despite many publicized attempts to make streets and public areas

‘safer’ for women, home, the private

arena and the threat from ‘intimate

perpetrators’ are left unaddressed.

A history of domestic violence

is not assessed when a permit to own

a gun is applied for. While a domes-

tic firearm ban will not stop domes-

tic abuse, the likelihood of women

victims of domestic violence escap-

ing their tormentors diminishes where

there is the presence of a gun.

Firearm violence and Youth

32 per cent youth14 in our news survey died in gun-related homi-

cides, suicide and accidents. Victims range from 6 to 20 years old. Perpe-

trators were between 15 and 20. The majority of the perpetrators, as well

as the victims, are male, and are a result of male-to-male random vio-

lence.

Lives cut short

3 cases of children killed by firearms in the newsbase are 6, 8 and 8

years old respectively; the first 2 were killed by handguns and the last

killed by shotgun. 2 children playing with their fathers’ gun accidentally

shot themselves in their residence; the other one was playing with his

father’s gun in a restaurant and shot himself. One gun owner is a police

officer, the other is civilian.

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Having been continuouslyabused by her boyfriend, aBangkok female singer“accidentally” shot him dead.(Daily News, 29 March 2001)


14

According to the newsbase, no children under 10 were killed as

victims of crimes. They were victims of firearm proliferation in a home

where firearms were kept to ensure protection and security. In both cases,

the firearms were not

kept in a secure or

unreachable place for

children, nor handled in

a safe manner.

Suicides:

During the period

of our survey, 5 youths between 18-25 were reported to have committed

suicide with firearms, most of which were found in their households.

They comprise 2 per cent of all 40 suicide cases in this newsbase. Most

suicide occurred in the home, and with handguns.

Arguments and Revenge(unresolved argument):

The majority of young perpetrators, of both genders, used their

firearms during arguments (46 per cent; 40 per cent in male and 27 per

cent in female). Among young male perpetrators, motives for arguments

range from school rivals to disputes with family members and friends.

While female of 22-24 years old mainly use firearms against their spouses

in domestic disputes. Firearms used in youths’ arguments occur as early

as 15 years of age (male perpetrator against a rival student).

Apart from ordinary arguments, another major motive for firearm

use is “unresolved arguments” - revenge. All perpetrators of revenge

cases are males. Men of 19-21 years old contribute to 60 per cent of all

young perpetrators, while those of 22-24 years old and 16-18 years olds

each contribute to 20 per cent of all perpetrators.

Crimes and Robbery:

Young people comprise 10 per cent of all crime perpetrators whose

age range between 13-24 years old. 10 per cent of recorded robbers are

youth; most of them are male. No female armed robbers or criminals are

found in the newsbase. Unlike other type of firearm-related violence,

perpetrators of crime and robbery usually attack strangers rather than

those whom they know.

On 25 December 2003, 10 days after thegovernment’s amnesty program ended, a seniorfemale student of Thammasat University waskilled by stray bullets, fired from the handgun of a17-year-old male student who claimed to be“annoyed” by a vocational school rumble.(Bangkok Post, 26 December 2003)


According to the newsbase, a gun in the home obviously increases

the chance of “accidents” due to unsafe storage or a domestic argument.

Children have a natural curiosity, and when encountering a loaded hand-

gun, many will mimic shooting actions learned by endless exposure to

images of violence in the media, both from TV news programs, movies

and dramas, and the now widespread availability of violent (shooting)

c o m p u t e r games and

replica toy guns. Most

dispute cases a m o n g

adolescents take place

at home or in the residential areas of the perpetrators.

In cases of revenge, perpetrators usually attack their victims in

public areas such as the roadside, buses or supermarket, or where rival

parties gather. These perpetrators sometimes carry weapons into suppos-

edly “gun free zone” or through weapon checkpoints, such as schools.

This indicates that the “gun free zone” and weapon checkpoint as well as

overall security measures in such areas (schools and supermarket as well

as on buses) are inadequate. However, since most of the firearms youths

carry are ‘domestically sourced’ a civil gun ban would prohibit access in

the majority of cases.

Firearm violence and Police

There has been debate internationally about the importance of po-

lice carrying firearms. Many types of police work, such as traffic control

and crime investigation do not require arms to be carried. The norm in

Thailand of officers carrying their guns off-duty are extremely question-

able, and several cases of “accidental” shootings by off-duty police sug-

gest that a station lock-

up policy needs to be

implemented for the

safety of their family

members and the pub-

lic.

It is, therefore,

important to address

the safe storage of po-

lice officers’ firearms

94 per cent of young

perpetrators use handguns.


16

whilst off duty. It is also necessary also require testing for competency of

people who possess firearms in their occupation such as security guards

and police officers, which includes both technical and emotional compe-

tency, to decrease their risk of be-

coming a target of violence. A fire-

arm lockup policy for off duty po-

lice would decrease police involve-

ment in domestic shootings, and de-

crease “accidents” and suicides in the

home due to guns left lying around.

Police are at some moments under stress, where they are responsible for

abuse and suicides. Stress counseling and training conflict resolution are

crucial for police officers to ensure their emotional stability.

Firearm violence and Religion

Members of religious groups in Thailand are as much prey to fear

and violence of firearms as anyone

else in the society.

Buddhists are 95 per cent of the

country’s 65 million population, but

it is still surprising to find that Bud-

dhist monks account for 2 per cent

of all perpetrators of gun violence

in this country.

With 3.8 per cent of all the

population, Muslims make up the

largest religious minority group in

Thailand, but are the local majority

in 3 Southern provinces. Groups such

as the Pattani United Liberation Or-

A policeman accused his ex-wife ofhaving affair with his colleague. Helater shot her and her new boyfriendto death. (Daily News, 23

In 2002, A Buddhist monk Phra MahaSayan Jirasutho wielded an AK47assault rifle at the parliament building todraw attention to his personalexperience of police brutality. (BangkokPost, 31 December 2002)


ganization (PULO) and Mujahideen Islam Pattani (MIP) have waged

armed struggle against the Thai state to obtain a separate Islamic state.

They are alledged to be responsible for injuries and deaths of police,

governmental officials, and civilians in the area. Both militants and local

politicians are allegedly involved in regional arms trade.

Since this report was compiled,

religion has become an element in

increasing social and armed conflict

in the deep South. Some Buddhist

temples have been turned into Army

barracks. Many others were aban-

doned and, as a result, ‘soldier monks’

were dispatched to replace the flee-

ing ordinary monks. These soldier/

monks collect alms in the morning

fully armed. (The Nation, 20 Octo-

ber 2004, report attributed to a sol-

dier who spoke annonymously).

But despite the fact that vio-

lence has periodically overflowed into

religious sphere, the religious community can play a role in analyzing the

causes and effects of violence and contributing to the improvement of

conditions for security and peace in a country. These positive contribu-

tions may include to a call for social policies and personal lifestyles that

brings an end to senseless gun vio-

lence, and also to call for gun con-

trol and less violence exposures

in society. For example, one of the

5 precepts of a Buddhist practi-

tioner is both not to kill, and not

to allow others to kill. Of the live-

lihoods permitable to Buddhists,

the selling or trading of arms is

specifically prohibited, as are live-

lihoods which require killing.

As a response of Thai authority to

firearms proliferation in the South, sol-

diers and police officers flock to Sathit

Chonlatan temple in Pattani to obtain

temple tattoos and receive a swift kick

from the head monk to become invul-

nerable. The temple also dispenses anti-

violence bullets, the cartridges filled with

108 herbs and invisible spiritual power

for protection. (Far Eastern Economic

Review, 30 September 2004)


18

Recommendations

We believe that a national ban of firearm possession, es-

pecially for self-defense purpose, should be implemented im-

mediately.

Meanwhile, as the legislation is being created and debated,

the three following intermediate steps should be undertaken to

reduce firearm caused deaths and injuries:

1. Recommendations for immediate implementation:

·Procedures and criteria to issue permit for firearms pos-

session should be tightened; more contexts such as emotional

competency and records of domestic violence as well as evalu-

ation from spouse/family members should also be included to

consider.

·Immediate cancellation of all permits to carry firearms

in public places, and severe penalties for those who violate such

regulations.

2. Recommendations to be implemented while a fire-

arm ban is being discussed, legislated and implemented

·Those who already have a firearm possessed in the home

be required that it be kept in a safe manner, especially for the

protection of children. It should be kept in a locked location,

and ammunition and firearm should be kept in separate places.

Severe penalties for thos who violate this preventative regula-

tion.

·Public advocacy for “gun-free homes” on personal and

community level. A gun in the home does not mean guarenteed

protection from external intruders. The public should be edu-

cated that a gun that was meant to protect the home is very

likely to bring harm to it. This should be mobilized by the health

sector as a preventative health program.

3. Recommendations suitable to a firearm ban

·Recognize a broader view of firearm-related violence


rather than that narrow scope of only death and injuries. The

presence of a firearm can coerce and lead to serious conse-

quences, apart from death and injury.

·A simultaneous, or complementary ban on replica (life

like toy) guns. Not only does their sale and use legitimize and

glorify guns, they also pose a danger by mimicking authentic

firearms.

·More research needs to be undertaken on the circum-

stances within which people are injured and killed, on the

impact of gun violence, on the health and criminal justice

systems, as well as on the economy.

·A culture of education needs to replace the culture of

violence currently existing. For instance, the media and edu-

cation system should promote educational as opposed to gun-

related toys. Children also need to be taught creative responses

to conflict, in contrast to the current message that guns and

violence are a solution.

·Public campaigns need to be developed by both gov-

ernment and civil society, which convey to people, particularly

the youth, the dangers of guns in society.

·One way to decrease the number of firearms is to re-

duce the demand for firearms. It is critical that the criminal

justice system be strengthened to challenge the current cul-

ture of crime, violence and impunity.

·Security sector reform must be undertaken to encour-

age popular confidence in the capacity of the state to protect

human security, not just security of the state.

·Review of all firearms policies applicable to police and

the armed forces so that only competent officers, on a mis-

sion which requires lethal force, carry a firearm.

In conclusion, not having gun does not mean an end to

conflict. However, it does reduce both the likelihood of con-

flict escalating to violence, and will reduce the lethality of any

violence which might occur.


20

Endnotes

1 In Burma and Singapore, individuals who apply for s license for self-protection must prove that they justifiably fear their security is threat-ened. Malaysia restricts the application process to those individual s whocan show ‘very good reasons’ for possessing a firearm. In Indonesia, li-censes are granted for private possession only to individuals who havereached a high-level position within their occupation. In Cambodia, nocivilians are allowed to possess arms for any reason. In Brunei, privatepossession licenses are only granted to members of the military or policefor ‘good reason.’ (Katherine Kramer, Legal Controls on Small Arms andLight Weapons in Southeast Asia. Geneva: The Small Arms Survey andNonviolence International Southeast Asia, 2001).2Thailand Act Controlling Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworksand Imitation of Firearms ( 1947), section 9.3 Ibid., Section 23(3) and 23(7).4 Gift Motaung, The Physical, Social and Economic Costs of Gun Vio-lence: Interviews with Survivors Living in Soweto. South Africa: GunFree South Africa, 1999, page 8.5 Other reasons for a person to apply for a license to private possession ofsmall arms include hunting, sports or collection. Applicant for such li-cense must be at least 20 years of age. (Thailand, 1947a, secs. 9, 11;2001)6 Klare, M., cited in Cock, J. “A Sociological Account of Light Weap-ons in Southern Africa”, Pugwash Conferences on Science and WorldAffairs, British American Council, Indian Pugwash Society and Institutefor Defense Studies and Analyses, 1995.7 Homicides per year are registered with Interpol, but not all countries arecurrent, and some like Lao PDR do not report. ASEAN as a whole doesnot participate in the United Nations Criminal Justice Information Net-work or the World Health Organizations Mortality Database. Please alsoconsider a comparative homicide rates in Southeast Asia in Robert Muggahand Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan (eds), Whose Security Counts? (Bang-kok: Small Arms Survey and Nonviolence International, 2003), p. 7.8 The narcotic-related murders significantly increased under the govern-ment’s “war on drug” campaign in 2003.9 Out of the total 529 firearms-related violence cases in our newsbase,there are 215 disputes, 84 crimes, 44 revenge, 41 suicide, 38 police opera-tion and 5 cases of self-defense.


10 Non-disease death is the death that is not caused by diseases such ascancers or heart diseases.11 Of all the 529 firearms-related violence cases in our newsbase, 126 ofthem are committed by victims’ family members, friends and spouses; 86cases are committed by criminals and strangers. There are 254 cases in thedatabase that relationships of victims to perpetrators could not be estab-lished from the news reports.12 Of all the 289 relevant firearms-related violence cases in our newsbase,101 them take place in accommodation or residential area; 107 cases oc-curs in public area and 49 cases in “gun free zone.” Others 32 cases cannotidentify places of victimization from news reports.13 Excerpt from Claire Taylor, The Link between South Africa’s Gun Cul-ture and Consumption Patterns. South Africa: Gun Free South Africa.14 By youth, we refer to those under age of 20 years old. The minimum ageof youth perpetrator, according to our newsbase, is 15 years old while theone of self-inflicted perpetrators is 6 years old.

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