Thai authorities have announced a new initiative to combat illegal gun sales and modifications following a shooting at a Bangkok mall. With Thailand ranking 15th globally in gun deaths, the Interior Minister plans to regulate BB guns and blank guns while ceasing gun license issuance. #Thailand #GunControl #BangkokShooting #PublicSafety
Authorities Target Online Gun Sales
National police chief Torsak Sukvimol announced a new initiative to close legal loopholes related to online gun sales and firearm classification. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic shooting at a Bangkok shopping mall, where two people were killed. Authorities believe the 14-year-old shooter used a modified gun, originally designed to fire blank rounds, which was likely purchased online.
As part of the new initiative, Thai police will collaborate with other government agencies to reclassify over 10,000 legally imported guns as deadly firearms, effectively blocking their import. This move aims to prevent future incidents involving such firearms.
Illegal Weapon Modifications
Modifying a blank gun is illegal, but criminals can easily learn how to make modifications. The gun used in the recent Bangkok mall shooting was reportedly modified with help from a YouTube video. Criminologist Kritsanapong Phutrakul suggests that authorities can improve gun control by enhancing enforcement, including faster mechanisms to block websites and online services that offer to sell or modify firearms.
To tackle the illegal sale of firearms on the internet, the police force will create a dedicated team. Current laws on illegal firearm possession carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht.
Learning from Past Tragedies
Recent mass shootings in Thailand have prompted authorities to tighten gun control laws, including requiring medical evaluations for those wanting to buy a gun or renew their gun license. Kritsanapong emphasizes the importance of political will in pushing for long-term gun control measures and urges the government to learn from past incidents, review proposed solutions, and implement them quickly.
Online Gun Sales: A Growing Concern
While many firearms are smuggled into Thailand, online sales are becoming an increasingly significant problem. Kritsanapong notes that only a small number of police officers have the knowledge and experience to track the online gun market. In response to the recent tragedy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered the police to strictly enforce laws related to online weapon purchases.
Regulating Blank Guns and BB Guns
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to ask the Department of Provincial Administration to stop issuing gun licenses to the general public to reduce gun possession. Additionally, he suggests regulating the trade of BB guns and blank guns by requiring legal registration to acquire them.
Thailand’s Gun Ownership and Gun Deaths
According to the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey in 2017, Thai people possessed approximately 10.3 million guns, with only 6.2 million registered. This places Thailand in 13th place globally for small gun possession. The World Population Review in 2022 ranked Thailand 15th globally in gun deaths, with 2,804 people killed, amounting to a rate of 3.91 per 100,000 population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new initiative has been announced to combat illegal gun sales and modifications in Thailand?
National police chief Torsak Sukvimol announced a new initiative to close legal loopholes related to online gun sales and firearm classification in response to a tragic shooting at a Bangkok shopping mall. Thai police will collaborate with other government agencies to reclassify over 10,000 legally imported guns as deadly firearms and will create a dedicated team to tackle the illegal sale of firearms on the internet.
How are authorities addressing illegal weapon modifications and online gun sales?
Criminologist Kritsanapong Phutrakul suggests that authorities can improve gun control by enhancing enforcement, including faster mechanisms to block websites and online services that offer to sell or modify firearms. Additionally, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered the police to strictly enforce laws related to online weapon purchases.
What measures are being taken to regulate blank guns and BB guns in Thailand?
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to ask the Department of Provincial Administration to stop issuing gun licenses to the general public to reduce gun possession. He also suggests regulating the trade of BB guns and blank guns by requiring legal registration to acquire them.
