Firearms licensing to follow stricter requirements: Hendro
Firearms licensing to follow stricter requirements: Hendro
JAKARTA (JP): In the aftermath of the recent shooting incident
involving Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono, the
military said they would impose tighter control of firearms and
procedures for the issuance of their licenses.
"In accordance with the national armed-forces policy, the
Jakarta chapter of the agency for Coordination of Supports for
the National Stability (BAKORSTANASDA JAYA) will tighten the
issuance of firearm-use licenses. We shall also tightly screen
the would-be users," Hendro told reporters here Saturday morning
after opening the 46th Manunggal ABRI civic mission in East
Jakarta.
Hendro was quoted by Antara as saying that the team of
Operation Cleansing, which was sponsored by the Jakarta Military
Command, would intensify its inspection on firearm possession.
Hendro said he believed that there are a number of
unauthorized people who posses firearms and that there was a
tendency among those who legally owned firearms to use the
weapons in an irresponsible manner.
"We shall intensify inspections because people are inclined to
abuse them. They must know that firearms are dangerous. They can
be lethal if they are in the hands of people who do not
understand their real functions," said the two-star general.
The tightening of the control over the firearm use came after
shots were fired by a high-ranking immigration official, named
Bambang Rusmintarjo, 41, on the Jagorawi toll road.
On Wednesday night Hendro was reportedly on his way home in
the Cibubur housing complex, East Jakarta, from his office in
Cawang, while Bambang himself was heading to his home in Bogor.
Hendro's chauffeur reportedly flashed the car's high beam
several times to let Bambang know of his intention to overtake
him, but Bambang kept blocking the way.
Upset over the continued high beam signals, Bambang brandished
his Colt 32 revolver outside the car's window and fired three
times into the air, apparently not aware that it was a military
commander's car behind him.
Tens of police officers and military members, who were
contacted by Hendro's personal aide soon after the incident,
captured Bambang two and a half hours later at his home in Bogor.
(jsk)