JP\/1\/gun<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Having a gun can make someone feel as though they are in a
\nWestern film, in which the characters are free to aim and shoot
\nas they please -- in revenge, in response to a perceived offense,
\nfor a criminal purpose or just because they can.<\/p>\n
But this has become a part of daily life in the capital, with
\nthe rising number of cases involving public figures being caught
\nred-handed for illegally discharging their firearms.<\/p>\n
This raises the question as to whether a civilian should be
\nallowed to own and carry a gun amid the soaring crime rate in
\nmajor cities, especially in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Last August, popular comedian Parto fired his gun into the air
\nin the lobby of Planet Hollywood.<\/p>\n
Then there is the New Year's Day incident involving high-
\nprofile businessman Adiguna Sutowo, who allegedly shot and killed
\na trainee waiter at a Hilton Hotel club, and most recently, the
\nshooting of a thug hired to protect a disputed plot of land on
\nJl. Rasuna Said by public order officer Krisman Siregar.<\/p>\n
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Aryanto Boedihardjo told
\nThe Jakarta Post that National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar
\nsent a letter about three months ago instructing regional police
\nto apply the strictest of procedures in issuing gun licenses to
\ncivilians.<\/p>\n
"Under the new regulation, anyone renewing their firearm
\nlicense must be reevaluated, including undergoing psychological
\nand medical tests again," Aryanto said.<\/p>\n
He added that previously, these tests only applied to first-
\ntime applicants, and that those seeking license renewal needed to
\nfulfill only a few basic requirements.<\/p>\n
The police also plan to conduct psychiatric evaluations to
\ndetermine whether a potential gun owner might have a tendency
\ntoward psychopathic, paranoidal or sadistic behavior and could
\ntherefore represent a danger to public safety.<\/p>\n
In addition, police plan to analyze the handwriting of each
\nfirst-time applicant as well as gun owners seeking to renew their
\nlicenses. Police believe that through graphology, they will be
\nable to detect latent personality disorders that could indicate a
\npropensity for violence toward others, particularly if armed.<\/p>\n
According to Law No. 8\/1948 on possession and use of firearms,
\na civilian may possess a gun only if issued a permit by the
\nNational Police. Other laws regulating civilian gun ownership are
\nEmergency Law No. 12\/1951 on weaponry, Law No. 8\/1984 on gun
\nregistration and Law No. 28\/1997 on the National Police, which is
\nthe only institution authorized to issue gun licenses.<\/p>\n
Aryanto underlined that not all civilians were entitled to
\napply for a gun license, let alone own a firearm.<\/p>\n
"In the case of civilian gun ownership, we only issue licenses
\nto commissioners, president directors, and finance directors of
\ncertain corporations, as well as doctors, lawyers and government
\nofficials," he said.<\/p>\n
Individuals who do not fall into these categories are
\nprohibited from owning a gun.<\/p>\n
Aryanto said restrictions also existed with regard to the type
\nof firearms permitted for civilian ownership -- guns that fire
\nlive ammunition, guns firing rubber bullets and gas-propelled
\nguns.<\/p>\n
The National Police have issued 2,559 licenses for "live" gun
\nownership, while 8,885 licenses have been issued for rubber-
\nbullet guns and 5,367 for gas-propelled guns.<\/p>\n
"So far, we have issued 34,150 licenses (nationwide) for
\ncivilians, security guards and shooting athletes," Aryanto said.<\/p>\n
Since applying for a gun license through the proper channels
\ncan be costly and time-consuming, a majority of gun owners have
\nobtained firearms illegally, which is easier and cheaper --
\npolice estimate that around 100,000 unlicensed guns are
\ncirculating in Greater Jakarta alone.<\/p>\n
In 2003, city police confiscated 72 rifles, 16 pistols, 96
\nhomemade guns and 7,505 cartridges during raids. Data for 2004
\nhas not yet been compiled, as the annual operation ended late
\nlast year. Even so, the figures are worrying.<\/p>\n
"We're working together with customs and excise as well as
\nimmigration to curb the smuggling and distribution of illegal
\nfirearms," Aryanto said.<\/p>\n
"Most of these guns were smuggled in from abroad or originated
\nfrom suppliers connected to the military or police, while others
\nare homemade," said a source at National Police headquarters.<\/p>\n
With the rising number of cases in which guns, illegal or
\nlegal, have been used in a reckless manner that endangered the
\nlives of others, critics have made repeated calls that the police
\nstop issuing licenses.<\/p>\n
And last week, two members of the House of Representatives --
\nMaruarar Sirait and Nadrah Izahari -- visited Jakarta Police
\nheadquarters to demand that they review their gun policy.<\/p>\n
In response, Jakarta Police said they would temporarily stop
\nissuing new firearms recommendations for city officials --
\nparticularly following the recent fatal shooting committed by a
\npublic order officer. However, there is no confirmation as to
\nwhen this policy would take effect.<\/p>\n
As regards the National Police, the gun control issue is a
\nmatter of legislation.<\/p>\n
"If the law says we can't issue licenses to civilians, then we
\nwon't. Now, who's the one making the laws?" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp1gun-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}