Bangkok Gun Shops: What's Inside And Why Tourists Can't Buy

[ianf]

I would argue that all of those gun shops should be forbidden to feel weapons to expats and Thai people alike. Only mentally sick people need a gun, it is after all an extension of a certain organ, that is probably too short or not working. Sell weapons and you get the mess that the US and the Philippines are in, including school murders, random shootings and a new mister Breivik will emerge soon. (Lot's of nice little Islands in Thailand after all).

There is no need for a gun in the hands of non police (and even they should not all get one) or army. Anyone who comes up with the bullocks statements that guns do not kill are fooling themselves Gun owners are not blessed with too many working brain cells though

Absolutely love this post. I really hate guns and gun culture. This post says it all!

[philhal2]

At 60 years of age , and being reasonably well read on most topics , served in the Military , worked in many different fields with all types of people , my only argument regarding guns , is if you need them for hunting food or defence from wild animals it is ok .

The same rule applies to " wild " people , these people have no morals , no scruples and dont care who they hurt , child adult , woman or baby . The need for guns will cease when the so called " LAW and Authorities' are able to remove these people permanently from society and ensure that the punishment is severe enough that no one wants to commit such vile crimes that cause the community to need self defence equal to the violence in the social structure .

[Alvarez]

I would like to buy one:)

[stingray]

I would argue that all of those gun shops should be forbidden to feel weapons to expats and Thai people alike. Only mentally sick people need a gun, it is after all an extension of a certain organ, that is probably too short or not working. Sell weapons and you get the mess that the US and the Philippines are in, including school murders, random shootings and a new mister Breivik will emerge soon. (Lot's of nice little Islands in Thailand after all).

There is no need for a gun in the hands of non police (and even they should not all get one) or army. Anyone who comes up with the bullocks statements that guns do not kill are fooling themselves Gun owners are not blessed with too many working brain cells though

2 months ago i was robbed and smasched by several intruders with big sticks in a workshop outside Pattaya. Was in hospital for more than a week. Not to mention the costs. I wish i had a gun at that time. So my wife have one since 5 years already (bought directly at the desk of the gun license office), legally rigistered in her name. Since 4 years we are married and i have WP as well. Would there be a possibility that we both can own the gun?

[HAL9000]

The same rule applies to " wild " people , these people have no morals , no scruples and dont care who they hurt , child adult , woman or baby . The need for guns will cease when the so called " LAW and Authorities' are able to remove these people permanently from society and ensure that the punishment is severe enough that no one wants to commit such vile crimes that cause the community to need self defence equal to the violence in the social structure.

While studies show that crime is lower where there is legal gun ownership, no punishment is able to stop all of them because they think they are smarter or better than the authorities. Even in cartel wars and leftist rebellions, leaders are killed and enthusiastically replaced without a second thought about survival chances by the replacements.

[GaryNelsonHarper]

Guns Kill.

It is their primary function.

It's rather foolish to think that you might not need one.

I was attacked by feral dogs 15 years ago in Northern California. The next time I went to my ranch, I had a Glock 19 with me.One round over the poochies heads and they were gone.

Let's see.. then there was the mountain lion that I thought was the neighbor's dog one night, as I tried to entice it to eat some chicken with me. Closer examination awakened me from my Eau De Vie Poire William fantasy, that the neighbor's dog had come to visit. Closed the bottle...went inside the house for a while.

I no longer own any weapons. Mostly by choice, but also because of theft. This should be a big consideration for anyone living in LOS. The possibility that you may be shot with your own weapon is greater than zero in provinces fueled by YaaBaa, (crank for you Californians).

There is a very large King Cobra living around our house. I have never killed an animal with a weapon. Snakes are of great benefit when you are overrun with mice. I have no desire to kill it and could probably convince it to leave if I could ever figure out where he/she hangs out. Still, this does not mean I would not like a weapon to even the odds in the event the snake wanted to have it's way with me in the biblical sense.

Guns are a pain in the ass...if you take it with you.. it owns you..

Had a crazed man tell me he was going to kill me once. He meant it. My .357 was within a meter of my reach, yet had I gone for it.. he would have dropped me with a small axe, like rice under an Isan scythe. I immediately embraced the man and apologized for whatever indiscretion he felt I had bestowed upon him. Guns can be a rapid ending to a long story.

To say that people are stupid for owning them is like telling a mechanic he is stupid for using metric tools on a Mercedes. There is a time and place for everything.

If Christine LaGarde's predictions are correct, I would highly suggest you invest in a magnum, short barreled shotgun and 50 rounds of deer slugs, because if the world economy collapses...you're going to need it Coolio, just not in Thailand.

[HAL9000]

2 months ago i was robbed and smasched by several intruders with big sticks in a workshop outside Pattaya. Was in hospital for more than a week. Not to mention the costs. I wish i had a gun at that time. So my wife have one since 5 years already (bought directly at the desk of the gun license office), legally rigistered in her name. Since 4 years we are married and i have WP as well. Would there be a possibility that we both can own the gun?

Sorry to hear of your injuries. I hope your recovery is complete with no permanent effects.

I think the question would be whether you would be in trouble if you used it when it is not in your name. If so, then the question of joint ownership would be relevant.

[submaniac]

EVERY SINGLE TOPIC (no matter what it is) involving firearms/guns is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS jumped upon by anti-gun crowd who will always spout off about how guns are evil and "if it were up to them..." Ultimately what it results in is that no one can exchange any useful information about guns on this forum (such as "how do I obtain a permit" or "how do I import" ) because the thread always gets hijacked by the anti-gun lobby.

This if fact: firearm ownership is legal in Thailand. Deal with it. If private gun ownership is truly disturbing to you, then by all means move to a country which bans it. No one is stopping you. If you are in Thailand, you accept Thailand's laws. It is very presumptuous to move to another country and think that the host country should adapt to you, rather than vice versa. To illustrate the point, imagine someone from the middle east moving to England, and upon getting to England they start saying "you know in our country, women wear birkas. All women in England should have to wear birkas too." I'm sure you're not going to be too happy about that.

[eladblum]

Having a gun means that you're gonna have to use it sooner or later. No thank you.

[submaniac]

Since 4 years we are married and i have WP as well. Would there be a possibility that we both can own the gun?

Yes. Go to your local police station. Ask them what they need to obtain a permit for gun ownership in your name.

[LadyBytes]

I would argue that all of those gun shops should be forbidden to feel weapons to expats and Thai people alike. Only mentally sick people need a gun, it is after all an extension of a certain organ, that is probably too short or not working. Sell weapons and you get the mess that the US and the Philippines are in, including school murders, random shootings and a new mister Breivik will emerge soon. (Lot's of nice little Islands in Thailand after all).

There is no need for a gun in the hands of non police (and even they should not all get one) or army. Anyone who comes up with the bullocks statements that guns do not kill are fooling themselves Gun owners are not blessed with too many working brain cells though

Wow and you have the audacity to accuse me of not being blessed with "many working brain cells". I am a responsible firearm owner, I shoot, I love my sport, I'm serious enough to represent my country. I'm also female, so does that mean its an extension of my female parts as well? My female parts are probably what... too small or too large? I have no intention of shooting people yet you've already judged and juried me.

This comment is the biggest load of <deleted> Ive read on this forum. Criminals will always be able to get their hands on guns, regardless of any laws. Not all gun owners are criminals nor do all criminals use guns as their weapon of choice.

[HAL9000]

If Christine LaGarde's predictions are correct, I would highly suggest you invest in a magnum, short barreled shotgun and 50 rounds of deer slugs, because if the world economy collapses...you're going to need it Coolio, just not in Thailand.

Good stories in your post. LaGarde isn't the only one talking about this. Big banks like JP Morgan and Citigroup are now said to be sitting on toxic assets of 28 trillion dollars similar to those that took down the housing market. When those assets are written off or down to value, the economic ripple will make the real estate collapse look small in comparison. In the event of food riots, like your story of hugging your would-be assailant, we might be better off sharing what food we have rather than trying to defend it. I feel some concern, though, that being foreigners, we might be perceived as rich and attacked whether we have anything or not. After a mob overwhelming our homes, I can't imagine anything being left that is not nailed down.

[submaniac]

Having a gun means that you're gonna have to use it sooner or later. No thank you.

Well, I have handled firearms since I was 12 years old. In the subsequent 26 years, I have never ever even so much as pointed a gun at another human being. The people who are anti-gun are people who have never handled a firearm. For those who are familiar with them the golden rule is that you never point a gun at anything or anyone that you do not absolutely intend on destroying. When I go to the range I have to turn over my gun to the rangemaster for inspection. When I do so, the magazine is out, and the slide is cocked back to show that it is empty. Even still, when my gun is handed over, it is pointed at myself because if I failed to check my weapon it is on me.

My ex girlfriend, who I am still friends with and very close to, is a Los Angeles Police Department Officer for going on 10 years. I respect her, and I certainly respect her shooting skills (like she ALWAYS outshot me at the range). We have had talks about guns, and I have talked about guns with other police officers in the states. The 100% consensus thus far is that the police do not want to ban guns because they know that if you criminalize guns, then only the criminals will have them.

[TomTao]

IMO, there is absolutely no need for guns!!! Unless of course, you are a criminal or police (same same but different ) More

guns only means more stupid people using them (mostly in wrong situations!), and killing other people! I assume that most people have seen Micheal Moore's movie about the gun laws in the US...

Do I need to say more?!?

Please do not start the usual BS about "the right to protect myself"

Maybe they should change the law, so that only 'responsible' people can own guns... I am sure that not many people in Thailand (or in the world for that matter) would qualify

I am not all that in favour of gun ownership, but as noted in the article, in the four surveyed countries where gun ownership is common gun crimes are lower, whereas gun crimes in countries where gun ownership is less common is higher. Criminals have guns and are not afraid to use them on unarmed people, it is a strange but sad fact that owning a gun makes you less likely to be a victim of the gun toting criminals.

[Markaew]

Guns Kill.

It is their primary function.

It's rather foolish to think that you might not need one.

I was attacked by feral dogs 15 years ago in Northern California. The next time I went to my ranch, I had a Glock 19 with me.One round over the poochies heads and they were gone.

Let's see.. then there was the mountain lion that I thought was the neighbor's dog one night, as I tried to entice it to eat some chicken with me. Closer examination awakened me from my Eau De Vie Poire William fantasy, that the neighbor's dog had come to visit. Closed the bottle...went inside the house for a while.

I no longer own any weapons. Mostly by choice, but also because of theft. This should be a big consideration for anyone living in LOS. The possibility that you may be shot with your own weapon is greater than zero in provinces fueled by YaaBaa, (crank for you Californians).

There is a very large King Cobra living around our house. I have never killed an animal with a weapon. Snakes are of great benefit when you are overrun with mice. I have no desire to kill it and could probably convince it to leave if I could ever figure out where he/she hangs out. Still, this does not mean I would not like a weapon to even the odds in the event the snake wanted to have it's way with me in the biblical sense.

Guns are a pain in the ass...if you take it with you.. it owns you..

Had a crazed man tell me he was going to kill me once. He meant it. My .357 was within a meter of my reach, yet had I gone for it.. he would have dropped me with a small axe, like rice under an Isan scythe. I immediately embraced the man and apologized for whatever indiscretion he felt I had bestowed upon him. Guns can be a rapid ending to a long story.

To say that people are stupid for owning them is like telling a mechanic he is stupid for using metric tools on a Mercedes. There is a time and place for everything.

If Christine LaGarde's predictions are correct, I would highly suggest you invest in a magnum, short barreled shotgun and 50 rounds of deer slugs, because if the world economy collapses...you're going to need it Coolio, just not in Thailand.

Excellent first post!

[eladblum]

The people who are anti-gun are people who have never handled a firearm.

You're so wrong. A lot of these people have just seen to much in their lives and just had enough. Go back to Texas son.

[transam]

Instead of being happy and joyful celebrating New Years Eve, it was spent worrying if I'd get shot or hit by a stray bullet from the three occasions people were firing their guns to the sky.

Thank you Gun Control Laws, you made me feel much safer.

Yes, folk forget, what goes up must come down.

[BigC]

So can I now buy a gun legally beibg a foreinger with a business and work permit

[submaniac]

You're so wrong. A lot of these people have just seen to much in their lives and just had enough. Go back to Texas son.

I am not Texan, but I wish. really respect the way they handle things down there. I would be proud to be Texan, but was not blessed by birth. However, I do have Thai citizenship. and I find it funny that the person who actually has the strongest claim to be in Thailand is being told to go back to Texas by someone who is one missed visa run away from being deported.

[submaniac]

So can I now buy a gun legally beibg a foreinger with a business and work permit

Yes. You already could before too.

[JetsetBkk]

"Not many foreigners buy guns in Thailand because the price is really expensive..." says the Firearms Association of Thailand's director of international relations, Polpatr Tanomsup.

Rubbish.

Edited January 2, 2012 by JetsetBkk

[KRS1]

I would argue that all of those gun shops should be forbidden to feel weapons to expats and Thai people alike. Only mentally sick people need a gun, it is after all an extension of a certain organ, that is probably too short or not working. Sell weapons and you get the mess that the US and the Philippines are in, including school murders, random shootings and a new mister Breivik will emerge soon. (Lot's of nice little Islands in Thailand after all).

There is no need for a gun in the hands of non police (and even they should not all get one) or army. Anyone who comes up with the bullocks statements that guns do not kill are fooling themselves Gun owners are not blessed with too many working brain cells though

So you would encourage that only criminals have access to guns? After all if they are illegal, only they will have access to them because i don't think they really care about obeying the law.

Imagine yourself, your wife and two small children sleeping, then a burglar sneaks in, make that two burglars instead. What you gonna do ? give him a cookie? In total darkness? Call the cops? Here's a hint , cops are only there AFTER a crime happens, why do cops carry guns anyway? To handle situations they can't handle on their own.

How can a society protect itself from tyrants when they do not have a way to fight back? Use slingshots and end up like the Palestinians?

School murders aren't a result of guns, its the result of society and bad attitudes against these children that commit those shootings.

[WildChilli]

Having a gun means that you're gonna have to use it sooner or later. No thank you.

And I will again

So next time I'm still alive to say I will use it again if I have to

[wlcart]

Poeple should be able to own guns because of personal freedom, but do not fool yourself to think that owning a gun makes you more safe.

It is way more likely that someone will end up stealing your gun or there will be an accident with you gun or you will use it in bad judgement than actually "defending your family from a home invasion".

[bridge2bridge]

Useless to buy a hand gun here because you can not own a hand gun in Australia.

[eladblum]

I am not Texan, but I wish. really respect the way they handle things down there. I would be proud to be Texan, but was not blessed by birth.

Then you should go there. plane tickets are not that expensive these days.

And don't take it personally, but maniacs are always told to go somewhere else regardless to their nationality.

[chrisinth]

Maybe they should change the law, so that only 'responsible' people can own guns... I am sure that not many people in Thailand (or in the world for that matter) would qualify

Can you define 'responsible' for me?

[chrisinth]

Yes, the prices for most handguns are outrages even for us from socialist parts of Europe.

goooood ... and I hope they will raise them ....

wonder when we will see the first shoot out here in Phuket between Russian Gangs anyway

Likely tooled up already. Don't need the hassle of registering a weapon to use it for illegal purposes

[arthurwait]

I notice a farang needs a work permit to get a gun; similar to how a work permit is generally needed to get a Thai bank unsecured credit card.

Seems that in Thailand a work permit makes a big difference in how trustworthy a person is considered. And yes I know the argument that a person with a work permit is less likely to leave the country quickly compared to a person on a long stay (1 year) visa/extension of stay which is generally an older, more mature person. Having a work permit seems to put a person into a different class of people in Thailand. No, I'm not whining as I'm a person on a retirement extension of stay and financially secure with pensions & savings with no plans in leaving Thailand...but if I could just get one of those work permits I could possibly move up a notch in Thai society and then get a gun and unsecured credit card.

Having a work permit and a job to do seems to save a lot of Ex pats from pickling their brains day in day out.

You can't deny that the ones in ex-pat bars all the time that are a few sandwiches short of a picnic due to pickling their brains and usually bitter about something are people that don't work. If they can't get hold of a gun ( I know in Thailand that's a pointless thing to say) I'm glad.

Of course not all people without work permits have pickled their brains, but go to any farang bar or read this forum and there is plenty of evidence of it.

Edited January 2, 2012 by arthurwait

[WarpSpeed]

Expats who are interested in self defense rather than just a sport day at the range need to know what laws Thailand has about lethal force such as under what circumstances it is and isn't allowed and if there are requirements about warnings and attempts to inflict non-lethal wounds first. These laws are difficult enough to navigate in the US, and it cannot be assumed that Thailand has the same standards. It would be a tragedy to save your family from a violent home invasion only to spend the rest of your life in prison for having done so.

John I see your point but I'd sacrifice my life to save my family whether it be it a lifetime in prison or even dying for them, so I don't see that as a reason to hesitate if they were in a position to be harmed regardless of the law. I'd be very content to know I saved their life and they have a long future ahead of them and being a hero in their eyes for making that choice..

What I thought was astonishing, disturbing and irrelevant to ownership is the question to foreigners of how much money they own?? WTH? Firstly who's business is that? And secondly if you don't have enough your families life and your possessions aren't worth the right to protect?? Someone who wishes to do you harm doesn't give a rats tush how much money you have in those terms only what's immediately available to them and is not even likely to know how much that is only an assumption or guess, especially what's in your bank account. This sounds more like a question to set you up for a shake down later either to pay more tea money for ownership or some other purpose in the future.