Guns offered at police expo

JAKARTA (JP): An exhibition of police and security equipment opened here on Thursday amid growing concerns over poor security enforcement and widespread ownership of illegal firearms in the capital.

Some 60 exhibitors take part in the three-day Police Expo 2001 at Istora Senayan sports center, Central Jakarta, and among them, at least five companies exhibiting are offering discount firearms for the duration of the event.

"The special price of Rp 20 million is only offered during the exhibition. Normally this Korean-made gas pistol is worth Rp 27 million," a counter attendant, Fitter Firdaus, said.

The company also offers automatic hunting rifles and pistols that fire rubber and blank ammunition.

"With the cash and carry service, we will take care of the license," he said.

At another counter, Novi said her company mostly offered products made by Walther, Colt and Smith & Wesson, but said they did not sell the products directly to visitors during the exhibition.

"After registering their names here, we suggest that those who are interested go to our office for further purchase procedures," Novi said, adding that six people had registered their names in the first few hours after the counter opened.

The office would arrange for the buyers to take a psychological test and fulfill other license requirements.

One visitor who had just registered his name on the list said that he was curious about the procedures involved in obtaining a gun license as saying, "It seems too easy. I talked to a counter attendant who persuaded me to use a 'short cut'. He promised to take care of everything."

National Police secretary-general Comr. Gen. Yun Mulyana said that firearms and other security equipment were on display at the exhibition for the benefit of the public.

"This kind of expo will help reduce the incidence of illegal ownership of firearms as people will be assisted in the selection of quality and appropriate weapons and will be assisted in obtaining licenses for the firearms."

The illegal ownership of weapons has been a major headache for police. Through the Sapu Jagat operation started early this month, police have confiscated at least 95 weapons. Many more, however, are believed to be on the streets. (emf)