Thai Police To Step Up Gun Control From May

[NeverSure]

"Thai Police To Step Up Gun Control From May."

Who is May, and why do they want to take her gun?

[ThaiTony2]

i was in Klong Thom market a few days ago where they sell just about everything (a year or so ago anyhow). i was looking for pepper spray and a BB gun but there was nothing for sale at all. yet there was lots of other illegal stuff openly on display by the ton, like porno dvds and sex toys

it seems that there maybe some clamping down already

What clamping down - who do you think wants a foreigner to have a gun in Thailand? Only you! The guns are there but much easier to find if you're a Thai. The porno and sex toys are readily available to the Foreigner.

[ThaiTony2]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

The most common cause of unnatural death in Thailand is firearms, followed closely by motorbikes.

More Thais are killed by guns than are Americans - a country where nearly everyone can have a gun if they wish.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms

Part of the problem stems from the fact that guns are illegal and people cannot be trained in their proper use, so resort to illegal or homemade firearms.

One point few countries ever bother to note is that guns are incredibly easy to make. A piece of iron pipe, homemade black powder a marble and a match. Plus guns are incredibly easy to steal - just get a policeman out where someone can bash him and PRESTO, one gun goes missing. That is a favorite trick of thugs in NYC.

REALITY - If a thug thinks you might have a gun, maybe he has second thoughts.. Knowing you don't have one makes you an easy target.

Use a gun in NYC and kill someone and you'll see what you have to go through with explanations and paperwork sitting at the police station. Use a gun and kill someone in Thailand and you'll really see what you'll go through. I don't need these kind of problems...Many items can be made into a weapon and act as a multipurpose tool. If you use a bit of creativity I'm sure you can improve your personal protection capabilities without shooting yourself in the foot.

[ThaiTony2]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Don't begin. Just mandate that everyone carry a gun and get training in school. No country would ever attempt invasion again, and people would be much more polite. ;-)

Sounds like a story out of the wild wild west but without the cowboy hat.

[ThaiTony2]

Where is everyone getting these guns? I can't seem to find any.

I've seen them in the police and army supply shops.

[Joe Mamma]

If they can't control those damn squirt guns during songkran, how are they gonna keep tabs on those scary real guns?

[Soi Dog]

I'm left wondering if they mean stepping up control OF guns or stepping up control WITH guns. Just saying.

[rayw]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Yes sadly it is endemic here in Thailand but legally Thai gun control laws are pretty good and stringent and not too dissimilar to those in the UK and most European states, but such laws are of course only any good IF properly applied. So any move like this, if it is really meant and not just sound bites, has got to be a good thing. How effective it becomes depends on the level of local police corruption of course as always here, but this is very important with gun ownership to really forget quick tea money in the pocket and for the police to properly and effectively seriously clamp down on this gun problem. At least we do have sensible gun laws in place here, unlike the stupidity in the USA.

The recent irresponsible actions in the USA of mainly the Republicans over there is just incredulous, as they recently and unbelievably blocked a very intelligent and sensible gun licence profiling condition law (supported according to opinion polls by 86% of US citizens I read) which is quite clearly a no-brainer much needed law amendment anyway. To me and surely any sensible fair minded responsible person means that the Republicans are now totally outdated and unelectable; well past their sell by date. They have proved they are too irresponsible to ever be in power again. If I was a US citizen I would never vote for the bloody Republicans, especially now after this childish irresponsible act of blocking a sensible, intelligent and much needed licence profiling gun control law amendment. The USA seriously need a new party to replace the outdated destructive right wing Republicans (GOP) with a peoples' party of the true centre, as lets face it, even the Democrats over there are still way too much over on right wing too to give any real justice to the ordinary US good folk.. Typical modern USA, where liberty and freedom is clearly now only for the elite greedy and selfish wealthy right wing few, and bugger all freedoms for the remainder of ordinary middle class, hard up and poor folk who make up probably 90% of the population. Hardly the dream of their forefathers who talked about freedom and liberty for ALL US citizens. Disgusting IMHO. Flame me all you like but I wont respond as I speak the clear truth for all open minded informed folk to see so nothing really to add to that, ignore the truth all you like as that would be purely your problem not mine.

Anyway sorry I digressed a little so back on topic. Sure anyone who knows or read my past postings will know I am normally strongly against prohibition but that is only where we are talking about things that are only harmful to oneself and not others, like drugs and alcohol. Sure it is and should be illegal to drive under the influence of excessive alcohol as that DOES seriously potentially affect others. Same with guns as unless only issued to profiled licensed folk and stringently prohibited from being freely carried in public places (other than authorised military and police personnel), then as all guns are an item specifically designed to kill and maim so they HAVE to have prohibitions applied to them to protect innocent society in general. Forget the stupid American NRA and their rhetorical and highly exaggerated crap statements, as they are just trying to live in the bad old childish days of the Wild West when we had no option than to take the law into our own hands before an effective civilised police force was set up to look after this for us by properly trained AND profiled personnel. Stringently applied gun control laws, with very severe penalties for infringements, make it much much harder for criminals and mentally unstable folk to possess guns. No nothing will stop it totally of course, but it would and will seriously reduce gun crime and needless gun related injury and deaths, so as I say a no-brainer much needed enforcement of existing gun control laws and of new much needed related laws too.

Edited May 2, 2013 by rayw

[Baerboxer]

I got a cop in the family, SrSgtMajor, who has let me know that if I want a gun, no problem. He will push through paperwork for my Thai wife to be legal owner, then get me whatever I want.

TiT

Your Thai wife could be the legal owner. It's you as a farang that would have the difficulty. Nice of him to offer to push the paper work through though.

I remember a Thai business associate having pump action shot guns in his study at home several years ago. Nice guns. I asked if was easy to get gun permits in Thailand. Usual answer - if you have the money no problem. Explains why the poorer people don't bother with licences etc.

[Baerboxer]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Yes sadly it is endemic here in Thailand but legally Thai gun control laws are pretty good and stringent and not too dissimilar to those in the UK and most European states, but such laws are of course only any good IF properly applied. So any move like this, if it is really meant and not just sound bites, has got to be a good thing. How effective it becomes depends on the level of local police corruption of course as always here, but this is very important with gun ownership to really forget quick tea money in the pocket and for the police to properly and effectively seriously clamp down on this gun problem. At least we do have sensible gun laws in place here, unlike the stupidity in the USA.

The recent irresponsible actions in the USA of mainly the Republicans over there is just incredulous, as they recently and unbelievably blocked a very intelligent and sensible gun licence profiling condition law (supported according to opinion polls by 86% of US citizens I read) which is quite clearly a no-brainer much needed law amendment anyway. To me and surely any sensible fair minded responsible person means that the Republicans are now totally outdated and unelectable; well past their sell by date. They have proved they are too irresponsible to ever be in power again. If I was a US citizen I would never vote for the bloody Republicans, especially now after this childish irresponsible act of blocking a sensible, intelligent and much needed licence profiling gun control law amendment. The USA seriously need a new party to replace the outdated destructive right wing Republicans (GOP) with a peoples' party of the true centre, as lets face it, even the Democrats over there are still way too much over on right wing too to give any real justice to the ordinary US good folk.. Typical modern USA, where liberty and freedom is clearly now only for the elite greedy and selfish wealthy right wing few, and bugger all freedoms for the remainder of ordinary middle class, hard up and poor folk who make up probably 90% of the population. Hardly the dream of their forefathers who talked about freedom and liberty for ALL US citizens. Disgusting IMHO. Flame me all you like but I wont respond as I speak the clear truth for all open minded informed folk to see so nothing really to add to that, ignore the truth all you like as that would be purely your problem not mine.

Anyway sorry I digressed a little so back on topic. Sure anyone who knows or read my past postings will know I am normally strongly against prohibition but that is only where we are talking about things that are only harmful to oneself and not others, like drugs and alcohol. Sure it is and should be illegal to drive under the influence of excessive alcohol as that DOES seriously potentially affect others. Same with guns as unless only issued to profiled licensed folk and stringently prohibited from being freely carried in public places (other than authorised military and police personnel), then as all guns are an item specifically designed to kill and maim so they HAVE to have prohibitions applied to them to protect innocent society in general. Forget the stupid American NRA and their rhetorical and highly exaggerated crap statements, as they are just trying to live in the bad old childish days of the Wild West when we had no option than to take the law into our own hands before an effective civilised police force was set up to look after this for us by properly trained AND profiled personnel. Stringently applied gun control laws, with very severe penalties for infringements, make it much much harder for criminals and mentally unstable folk to possess guns. No nothing will stop it totally of course, but it would and will seriously reduce gun crime and needless gun related injury and deaths, so as I say a no-brainer much needed enforcement of existing gun control laws and of new much needed related laws too.

This is about Thailand not an excuse for a rant about the USA. You are enttiled to express your opinions on an open forum. However, that does not make your opinion right or entitle you to belittle or insult those who have different opinions. I have many American friends who I think are sensible, well balanced, generous and fantastic people. The majority have guns and support their right to bear arms to protect themselves and their families. One of original ideas of the second amendment was to prevent the people feeling intimidated by an armed government seeking to revoke the constitution and impose dictatorial undemocratic powers. Now you might see why police states like the UK really want draconian gun laws. Presumably you would also ban knives, truncheons, batons, pepper sprays, electic shock guns, walking sticks, learning martial arts, or anything else that people might use violently; or at least have them all profiled first. This really smacks ot a totalitarian society where people with different views are "profiled" and declared mentally unfit. A very slippery road you advocate, but which I can imagine some politicians applauding.

Thailand does have gun laws but, as with all things here, the issue is in the fair enforcement. Given the history of various crackdowns there is nothing to suggest this one will be effective.

Edited May 4, 2013 by Baerboxer

[Morden]

Guns can easily be bought legally. Provincial towns usually have at least one gun shop and, I have read, there's a street near to Old Siam Plaza in Bangkok that has around fifty gun shops.

Thais can easily get a licence from their local Amphur office. I've heard that foreigners can too but it's not so easy. If your wife has a gun and licence, you can use the gun at home to protect her. Foreigners can also join gun clubs to get tuition and practice.

What's missing is any suggestion that applicants get tuition at a gun club and any check to ensure that guns is stored safely.

I'm certain that confiscated guns find there way onto the black market and this is the most worrying thing. There seems to me more gun crime these days and the scooter boys feature often as the shooters. Until recently, we relied on self-defence equipment that can be used at close quarters. I came to the conclusion that it's better to stop an intruder at a distance rather than within arm's reach so we have acted accordingly.

I wouldn't even think about getting an illegal gun. You wouldn't know whether it had already been used in a crime and, if you were to use it at home in self-defence, you could be for the high jump when the BIBs turned up.

[Morden]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Yes sadly it is endemic here in Thailand but legally Thai gun control laws are pretty good and stringent and not too dissimilar to those in the UK and most European states, but such laws are of course only any good IF properly applied. So any move like this, if it is really meant and not just sound bites, has got to be a good thing. How effective it becomes depends on the level of local police corruption of course as always here, but this is very important with gun ownership to really forget quick tea money in the pocket and for the police to properly and effectively seriously clamp down on this gun problem. At least we do have sensible gun laws in place here, unlike the stupidity in the USA.

The recent irresponsible actions in the USA of mainly the Republicans over there is just incredulous, as they recently and unbelievably blocked a very intelligent and sensible gun licence profiling condition law (supported according to opinion polls by 86% of US citizens I read) which is quite clearly a no-brainer much needed law amendment anyway. To me and surely any sensible fair minded responsible person means that the Republicans are now totally outdated and unelectable; well past their sell by date. They have proved they are too irresponsible to ever be in power again. If I was a US citizen I would never vote for the bloody Republicans, especially now after this childish irresponsible act of blocking a sensible, intelligent and much needed licence profiling gun control law amendment. The USA seriously need a new party to replace the outdated destructive right wing Republicans (GOP) with a peoples' party of the true centre, as lets face it, even the Democrats over there are still way too much over on right wing too to give any real justice to the ordinary US good folk.. Typical modern USA, where liberty and freedom is clearly now only for the elite greedy and selfish wealthy right wing few, and bugger all freedoms for the remainder of ordinary middle class, hard up and poor folk who make up probably 90% of the population. Hardly the dream of their forefathers who talked about freedom and liberty for ALL US citizens. Disgusting IMHO. Flame me all you like but I wont respond as I speak the clear truth for all open minded informed folk to see so nothing really to add to that, ignore the truth all you like as that would be purely your problem not mine.

Anyway sorry I digressed a little so back on topic. Sure anyone who knows or read my past postings will know I am normally strongly against prohibition but that is only where we are talking about things that are only harmful to oneself and not others, like drugs and alcohol. Sure it is and should be illegal to drive under the influence of excessive alcohol as that DOES seriously potentially affect others. Same with guns as unless only issued to profiled licensed folk and stringently prohibited from being freely carried in public places (other than authorised military and police personnel), then as all guns are an item specifically designed to kill and maim so they HAVE to have prohibitions applied to them to protect innocent society in general. Forget the stupid American NRA and their rhetorical and highly exaggerated crap statements, as they are just trying to live in the bad old childish days of the Wild West when we had no option than to take the law into our own hands before an effective civilised police force was set up to look after this for us by properly trained AND profiled personnel. Stringently applied gun control laws, with very severe penalties for infringements, make it much much harder for criminals and mentally unstable folk to possess guns. No nothing will stop it totally of course, but it would and will seriously reduce gun crime and needless gun related injury and deaths, so as I say a no-brainer much needed enforcement of existing gun control laws and of new much needed related laws too.

This is about Thailand not an excuse for a rant about the USA. You are enttiled to express your opinions on an open forum. However, that does not make your opinion right or entitle you to belittle or insult those who have different opinions. I have many American friends who I think are sensible, well balanced, generous and fantastic people. The majority have guns and support their right to bear arms to protect themselves and their families. One of original ideas of the second amendment was to prevent the people feeling intimidated by an armed government seeking to revoke the constitution and impose dictatorial undemocratic powers. Now you might see why police states like the UK really want draconian gun laws. Presumably you would also ban knives, truncheons, batons, pepper sprays, electic shock guns, walking sticks, learning martial arts, or anything else that people might use violently; or at least have them all profiled first. This really smacks ot a totalitarian society where people with different views are "profiled" and declared mentally unfit. A very slippery road you advocate, but which I can imagine some politicians applauding.

Thailand does have gun laws but, as with all things here, the issue is in the fair enforcement. Given the history of various crackdowns there is nothing to suggest this one will be effective.

I agree with your first three sentences but then you go on to take a pop at the UK! Gun laws were tightened in the UK because of two massacres, one of which was similar to Sandy Hook. Don't knock a government that tries to deal with such a problem.

The UK, it seems to me, is less of a police state than the US.

[Pimay1]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Yes sadly it is endemic here in Thailand but legally Thai gun control laws are pretty good and stringent and not too dissimilar to those in the UK and most European states, but such laws are of course only any good IF properly applied. So any move like this, if it is really meant and not just sound bites, has got to be a good thing. How effective it becomes depends on the level of local police corruption of course as always here, but this is very important with gun ownership to really forget quick tea money in the pocket and for the police to properly and effectively seriously clamp down on this gun problem. At least we do have sensible gun laws in place here, unlike the stupidity in the USA.

The recent irresponsible actions in the USA of mainly the Republicans over there is just incredulous, as they recently and unbelievably blocked a very intelligent and sensible gun licence profiling condition law (supported according to opinion polls by 86% of US citizens I read) which is quite clearly a no-brainer much needed law amendment anyway. To me and surely any sensible fair minded responsible person means that the Republicans are now totally outdated and unelectable; well past their sell by date. They have proved they are too irresponsible to ever be in power again. If I was a US citizen I would never vote for the bloody Republicans, especially now after this childish irresponsible act of blocking a sensible, intelligent and much needed licence profiling gun control law amendment. The USA seriously need a new party to replace the outdated destructive right wing Republicans (GOP) with a peoples' party of the true centre, as lets face it, even the Democrats over there are still way too much over on right wing too to give any real justice to the ordinary US good folk.. Typical modern USA, where liberty and freedom is clearly now only for the elite greedy and selfish wealthy right wing few, and bugger all freedoms for the remainder of ordinary middle class, hard up and poor folk who make up probably 90% of the population. Hardly the dream of their forefathers who talked about freedom and liberty for ALL US citizens. Disgusting IMHO. Flame me all you like but I wont respond as I speak the clear truth for all open minded informed folk to see so nothing really to add to that, ignore the truth all you like as that would be purely your problem not mine.

Anyway sorry I digressed a little so back on topic. Sure anyone who knows or read my past postings will know I am normally strongly against prohibition but that is only where we are talking about things that are only harmful to oneself and not others, like drugs and alcohol. Sure it is and should be illegal to drive under the influence of excessive alcohol as that DOES seriously potentially affect others. Same with guns as unless only issued to profiled licensed folk and stringently prohibited from being freely carried in public places (other than authorised military and police personnel), then as all guns are an item specifically designed to kill and maim so they HAVE to have prohibitions applied to them to protect innocent society in general. Forget the stupid American NRA and their rhetorical and highly exaggerated crap statements, as they are just trying to live in the bad old childish days of the Wild West when we had no option than to take the law into our own hands before an effective civilised police force was set up to look after this for us by properly trained AND profiled personnel. Stringently applied gun control laws, with very severe penalties for infringements, make it much much harder for criminals and mentally unstable folk to possess guns. No nothing will stop it totally of course, but it would and will seriously reduce gun crime and needless gun related injury and deaths, so as I say a no-brainer much needed enforcement of existing gun control laws and of new much needed related laws too.

This is about Thailand not an excuse for a rant about the USA. You are enttiled to express your opinions on an open forum. However, that does not make your opinion right or entitle you to belittle or insult those who have different opinions. I have many American friends who I think are sensible, well balanced, generous and fantastic people. The majority have guns and support their right to bear arms to protect themselves and their families. One of original ideas of the second amendment was to prevent the people feeling intimidated by an armed government seeking to revoke the constitution and impose dictatorial undemocratic powers. Now you might see why police states like the UK really want draconian gun laws. Presumably you would also ban knives, truncheons, batons, pepper sprays, electic shock guns, walking sticks, learning martial arts, or anything else that people might use violently; or at least have them all profiled first. This really smacks ot a totalitarian society where people with different views are "profiled" and declared mentally unfit. A very slippery road you advocate, but which I can imagine some politicians applauding.

Thailand does have gun laws but, as with all things here, the issue is in the fair enforcement. Given the history of various crackdowns there is nothing to suggest this one will be effective.

Well Baerboxer this forum has quite a few USA bashers and I just ignore them. But it is interesting that when a nut case makes bombs and kills people the person is blamed. When a nut case kills someone with a gun the gun is blamed. Go figure.

[Baerboxer]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Yes sadly it is endemic here in Thailand but legally Thai gun control laws are pretty good and stringent and not too dissimilar to those in the UK and most European states, but such laws are of course only any good IF properly applied. So any move like this, if it is really meant and not just sound bites, has got to be a good thing. How effective it becomes depends on the level of local police corruption of course as always here, but this is very important with gun ownership to really forget quick tea money in the pocket and for the police to properly and effectively seriously clamp down on this gun problem. At least we do have sensible gun laws in place here, unlike the stupidity in the USA.

The recent irresponsible actions in the USA of mainly the Republicans over there is just incredulous, as they recently and unbelievably blocked a very intelligent and sensible gun licence profiling condition law (supported according to opinion polls by 86% of US citizens I read) which is quite clearly a no-brainer much needed law amendment anyway. To me and surely any sensible fair minded responsible person means that the Republicans are now totally outdated and unelectable; well past their sell by date. They have proved they are too irresponsible to ever be in power again. If I was a US citizen I would never vote for the bloody Republicans, especially now after this childish irresponsible act of blocking a sensible, intelligent and much needed licence profiling gun control law amendment. The USA seriously need a new party to replace the outdated destructive right wing Republicans (GOP) with a peoples' party of the true centre, as lets face it, even the Democrats over there are still way too much over on right wing too to give any real justice to the ordinary US good folk.. Typical modern USA, where liberty and freedom is clearly now only for the elite greedy and selfish wealthy right wing few, and bugger all freedoms for the remainder of ordinary middle class, hard up and poor folk who make up probably 90% of the population. Hardly the dream of their forefathers who talked about freedom and liberty for ALL US citizens. Disgusting IMHO. Flame me all you like but I wont respond as I speak the clear truth for all open minded informed folk to see so nothing really to add to that, ignore the truth all you like as that would be purely your problem not mine.

Anyway sorry I digressed a little so back on topic. Sure anyone who knows or read my past postings will know I am normally strongly against prohibition but that is only where we are talking about things that are only harmful to oneself and not others, like drugs and alcohol. Sure it is and should be illegal to drive under the influence of excessive alcohol as that DOES seriously potentially affect others. Same with guns as unless only issued to profiled licensed folk and stringently prohibited from being freely carried in public places (other than authorised military and police personnel), then as all guns are an item specifically designed to kill and maim so they HAVE to have prohibitions applied to them to protect innocent society in general. Forget the stupid American NRA and their rhetorical and highly exaggerated crap statements, as they are just trying to live in the bad old childish days of the Wild West when we had no option than to take the law into our own hands before an effective civilised police force was set up to look after this for us by properly trained AND profiled personnel. Stringently applied gun control laws, with very severe penalties for infringements, make it much much harder for criminals and mentally unstable folk to possess guns. No nothing will stop it totally of course, but it would and will seriously reduce gun crime and needless gun related injury and deaths, so as I say a no-brainer much needed enforcement of existing gun control laws and of new much needed related laws too.

This is about Thailand not an excuse for a rant about the USA. You are enttiled to express your opinions on an open forum. However, that does not make your opinion right or entitle you to belittle or insult those who have different opinions. I have many American friends who I think are sensible, well balanced, generous and fantastic people. The majority have guns and support their right to bear arms to protect themselves and their families. One of original ideas of the second amendment was to prevent the people feeling intimidated by an armed government seeking to revoke the constitution and impose dictatorial undemocratic powers. Now you might see why police states like the UK really want draconian gun laws. Presumably you would also ban knives, truncheons, batons, pepper sprays, electic shock guns, walking sticks, learning martial arts, or anything else that people might use violently; or at least have them all profiled first. This really smacks ot a totalitarian society where people with different views are "profiled" and declared mentally unfit. A very slippery road you advocate, but which I can imagine some politicians applauding.

Thailand does have gun laws but, as with all things here, the issue is in the fair enforcement. Given the history of various crackdowns there is nothing to suggest this one will be effective.

I agree with your first three sentences but then you go on to take a pop at the UK! Gun laws were tightened in the UK because of two massacres, one of which was similar to Sandy Hook. Don't knock a government that tries to deal with such a problem.

The UK, it seems to me, is less of a police state than the US.

A little off topic so I hope the moderatore indulge a tenuous link.

The UK government used the Hungerford and Dunblain massacres to introduce extremely draconian gun laws, whilst also easing the rules on use of firearms by the police. Many people see political undertones, you don't which is fine. (I personally knew two people who were involved in Hungerford, and were lucky not to be be killed - niether saw banning guns as the answer).

There has been a spate of Chinese mad men attacking school children with knives and hatchets. China is a totalitarian state, but has not banned knives or insists on profiling before you buy one.

Guns are becoming more prevalent in Thailand - in crimes, gang fights, student brawls etc. The RTP should indeed enforce the laws they have. But, banning guns, which the UK virtually has, is attacking a symptom not the cause. Thailand, like most other countries, needs to look at all the underlying social issues driving this behaviour.

[Baerboxer]

Guns can easily be bought legally. Provincial towns usually have at least one gun shop and, I have read, there's a street near to Old Siam Plaza in Bangkok that has around fifty gun shops.

Thais can easily get a licence from their local Amphur office. I've heard that foreigners can too but it's not so easy. If your wife has a gun and licence, you can use the gun at home to protect her. Foreigners can also join gun clubs to get tuition and practice.

What's missing is any suggestion that applicants get tuition at a gun club and any check to ensure that guns is stored safely.

I'm certain that confiscated guns find there way onto the black market and this is the most worrying thing. There seems to me more gun crime these days and the scooter boys feature often as the shooters. Until recently, we relied on self-defence equipment that can be used at close quarters. I came to the conclusion that it's better to stop an intruder at a distance rather than within arm's reach so we have acted accordingly.

I wouldn't even think about getting an illegal gun. You wouldn't know whether it had already been used in a crime and, if you were to use it at home in self-defence, you could be for the high jump when the BIBs turned up.

Most people have to rely on CQC equipment, or whatever they can lay there hands on. Unless you practice and train this, it won't necessarily be effective. Reactions slow as we get older, as does strenght and staminer. I have thought about buying a gun, for my wife. Legal and with proper training of course. She doesn't have a background in martial arts and has never been on anykind of self defence course.

Guns and training here are expensive which may explain why so many Thais opt for an illegal one. I even know one Thai who has a grenade in his house!

[Morden]

Baerboxer,

The tighter gun laws in the UK had very little effect on most people. It's not a country where you expect to bump into someone waving a gun in a school or cinema or entering your home with one. Most gun owners were, and still are, those who use shotguns for sport or on their farms.

As I said, don't knock a government that attempts to deal with gun massacre problems. I wonder whether your Hungerford friends would have felt differently if they lived in Dunblane and their kids had been at that school.

The problem in Thailand stems from the possession of illegal guns in the hands of kids and adults who think that they are above, or can afford to buy, the law. The corrupt trade in illegal guns feeds that market and I expect the problem to get worse rather than better.

[rayw]

Every single one of my wifes friends here in the village owns a gun or has a gun in the house be it an air gun, home made single shot, shot gun or hand gun. I am not aware of any that are licensed. The problem seems to be endemic and will take a massive effort to solve. Where to begin?

Yes sadly it is endemic here in Thailand but legally Thai gun control laws are pretty good and stringent and not too dissimilar to those in the UK and most European states, but such laws are of course only any good IF properly applied. So any move like this, if it is really meant and not just sound bites, has got to be a good thing. How effective it becomes depends on the level of local police corruption of course as always here, but this is very important with gun ownership to really forget quick tea money in the pocket and for the police to properly and effectively seriously clamp down on this gun problem. At least we do have sensible gun laws in place here, unlike the stupidity in the USA.

The recent irresponsible actions in the USA of mainly the Republicans over there is just incredulous, as they recently and unbelievably blocked a very intelligent and sensible gun licence profiling condition law (supported according to opinion polls by 86% of US citizens I read) which is quite clearly a no-brainer much needed law amendment anyway. To me and surely any sensible fair minded responsible person means that the Republicans are now totally outdated and unelectable; well past their sell by date. They have proved they are too irresponsible to ever be in power again. If I was a US citizen I would never vote for the bloody Republicans, especially now after this childish irresponsible act of blocking a sensible, intelligent and much needed licence profiling gun control law amendment. The USA seriously need a new party to replace the outdated destructive right wing Republicans (GOP) with a peoples' party of the true centre, as lets face it, even the Democrats over there are still way too much over on right wing too to give any real justice to the ordinary US good folk.. Typical modern USA, where liberty and freedom is clearly now only for the elite greedy and selfish wealthy right wing few, and bugger all freedoms for the remainder of ordinary middle class, hard up and poor folk who make up probably 90% of the population. Hardly the dream of their forefathers who talked about freedom and liberty for ALL US citizens. Disgusting IMHO. Flame me all you like but I wont respond as I speak the clear truth for all open minded informed folk to see so nothing really to add to that, ignore the truth all you like as that would be purely your problem not mine.

Anyway sorry I digressed a little so back on topic. Sure anyone who knows or read my past postings will know I am normally strongly against prohibition but that is only where we are talking about things that are only harmful to oneself and not others, like drugs and alcohol. Sure it is and should be illegal to drive under the influence of excessive alcohol as that DOES seriously potentially affect others. Same with guns as unless only issued to profiled licensed folk and stringently prohibited from being freely carried in public places (other than authorised military and police personnel), then as all guns are an item specifically designed to kill and maim so they HAVE to have prohibitions applied to them to protect innocent society in general. Forget the stupid American NRA and their rhetorical and highly exaggerated crap statements, as they are just trying to live in the bad old childish days of the Wild West when we had no option than to take the law into our own hands before an effective civilised police force was set up to look after this for us by properly trained AND profiled personnel. Stringently applied gun control laws, with very severe penalties for infringements, make it much much harder for criminals and mentally unstable folk to possess guns. No nothing will stop it totally of course, but it would and will seriously reduce gun crime and needless gun related injury and deaths, so as I say a no-brainer much needed enforcement of existing gun control laws and of new much needed related laws too.

This is about Thailand not an excuse for a rant about the USA. You are enttiled to express your opinions on an open forum. However, that does not make your opinion right or entitle you to belittle or insult those who have different opinions. I have many American friends who I think are sensible, well balanced, generous and fantastic people. The majority have guns and support their right to bear arms to protect themselves and their families. One of original ideas of the second amendment was to prevent the people feeling intimidated by an armed government seeking to revoke the constitution and impose dictatorial undemocratic powers. Now you might see why police states like the UK really want draconian gun laws. Presumably you would also ban knives, truncheons, batons, pepper sprays, electic shock guns, walking sticks, learning martial arts, or anything else that people might use violently; or at least have them all profiled first. This really smacks ot a totalitarian society where people with different views are "profiled" and declared mentally unfit. A very slippery road you advocate, but which I can imagine some politicians applauding.

Thailand does have gun laws but, as with all things here, the issue is in the fair enforcement. Given the history of various crackdowns there is nothing to suggest this one will be effective.

Well I have to say I also agree with you on what you say Baerboxer, and my post was NOT intended to have a pop at the USA citizens in general at all. My comments however WERE intended to have a pop at the undemocratic and very politically motivated Republicans (and some misguided Democrats too) in the Congress who blocked this very very sensible profiling amendment to gun licencing law. In fact most folk in the USA are indeed very sensible too, and I would not imply anything different, as it seems most of those folk did agree with this important profiling licence requirement being introduced. Certainly by the 86% public opinion poll figure published, it seems the vast majority are in favour of Obama's proposed law changes in respect of this point. So many USA citizens, who would I know not be for UK type gun control laws, were thus still in favour of this no brainer totally sensible, and logical amendment for profiling requirements before any gun licence is issued across the USA as a whole. This blocking of this amendment is not something to celebrate in any way, in fact it is a sad day when democracy and common sense are ignored and flaunted like this and makes the Republicans virtually unelectable as it stands.

No good stating knives are an equally dangerous weapon, as they are obviously NOT guns, and are far far less dangerous being more difficult to use to kill somebody (you need to be close and a very accurately placed stabbing to do that). Indeed nearly all knives are not primarily and exclusively designed to maim and kill, they are used as useful tools ( I carry a penknife myself legally here in Thailand for emergency and utility use). A gun is designed purely to kill or maim, it is not a tool in any other sense of the word. Furthermore, as we see time and time again, it is so very easy to kill and seriously life changing injure somebody with a gun, even used from a remote distance where indeed identification becomes often very difficult to establish, particularly when in the hands of untrained and/or unstable people. Thus I fully back the very very sensible UK gun control laws, they work and gun deaths and injury figures per capita prove that to be clearly the case. The USA do many things better than the UK for sure, but conversely the opposite is also true too, and gun control law is such an area where you could learn a lot of sound common sense legislation from the UK where it really works very well.

So do not get sensitive as this is NOT USA bashing at all, it is bashing those who acted disgustingly against public opinion and against all common sense and decency and most were indeed as usual right wing, childish, gun slinging, return to wild west days yearning Republicans who IMHO have acted criminally and totally irresponsibly and surely must have their proverbial heads up their nether regions. I am sure that there is no truth in the fantastic rhetorical conspiracy theory rubbish the gun lobby is putting about re arming the army and police and disarming Joe public for some ulterior motives. For goodness sake all that Obama is trying to do at this stage is to simply ensure mentally and socially unstable people and those with serious criminal records do not get issued with gun licences and are seriously prosecuted if they flaunt such a sensible law. Is that so hard to understand and agree with ??

Now sure this IS about Thailand, but this US related stuff is relevant as such issues will raise their ugly heads here too. Sure I know and indeed said before that the RTP really NEED and MUST start to take gun control laws very seriously indeed and apply them diligently and certainly not using these particular very important gun laws for any tea money type corruption if such a thing would ever happen .

[Cardiff1963]

Really dudes,

I am always amazed at how negative people can be when hearing about how Thai gov wants to do something in the positive way. Why not just try to look at the good sides and be a bit more positive towards things. Gun control is a great step towards what most of us would like to consider a safe paradise to live. Stop bitching and support these ideas instead of shooting them down all the time.

You have to realize, there day would be ruined if they did not whinge on here