Guns on sale in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Various types of guns were on sale during an exhibition organized by the Tri Yudha Foundation at the Uniland building here on Saturday.

Businesspeople, mostly Chinese-Indonesians, thronged to the exhibition hall and showed interest in the latest-model revolvers, rubber bullets and tear gas on display.

The self-defense devices were sold at between Rp 17 million and Rp 40 million each.

The head of the Medan Police intelligence unit, Lt. Col. Bagus, said civilians would have to go through complicated and thorough procedures to obtain the necessary permits to own a gun.

"Prospective owners must acquire basic requirements, including a permit from the National Police. It's not that easy," Bagus said. (39/edt)