Bangkok: Thailand currently holds the highest number of guns in the ASEAN region, prompting concerns from the Firearms Business Association that stricter regulations might inadvertently lead to a rise in illegal firearm activities.
According to Thai News Agency, the Firearms Business Association expressed that while firearms contribute to tragic events, they are only one of the factors involved. The association is worried about the increasing number of illegal firearm purchases. In response to growing concerns over gun-related incidents, Mr. Thitithorn Bupparamanee, President of the Thai Firearms Business Association, highlighted the government's serious approach to addressing the firearms issue. The Prime Minister has directed a series of immediate measures, including suspending the new welfare firearms program, halting firearms purchase permits issuance (P.3), and conducting nationwide inspections of P.3 permits. Additionally, there will be an expedited restructuring of P.4 permits, requiring gun buyers to apply for a new permit within 30 days, along with intensified inspections of gun shops, ammunition, and shooting ranges. Violators of these measures will face strict legal consequences. The crackdown on illegal firearms will also be intensified, with administrative and police forces seeking strict prosecution and severe penalties from the courts.
The president of the Thai Firearms Business Association noted that these measures might impact shops by reducing their customer base for gun sales. However, as shops have been prohibited from importing firearms since 2023, their stock for sale is already limited. Concerns were also raised regarding the potential impact on citizens' rights to legally purchase firearms for self-protection or sporting purposes. The new measures effectively shut down legal firearm purchases, raising fears that people might resort to buying illegal or unlicensed firearms, exacerbating the problem. It is emphasized that while firearms contribute to violence, the root causes must be addressed with reasoned solutions, learning from other countries' experiences.
Data indicates that Thailand has the highest number of firearms in Southeast Asia and the highest rate of gun-related fatalities in ASEAN. Civilian ownership surpasses that of the military and police, with 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, including 6.2 million registered and 4.1 million unregistered firearms.