Thailand is suspending new gun permits and tightening its firearm controls after a 14-year-old boy killed eight people before turning the gun on himself in a deadly school shooting last week.
Government Response
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul issued the directive on Tuesday, ordering government officials to “urgently elevate firearm control measures across the entire system.” The measures include temporarily suspending the issuance of gun purchase permits, re-reviewing all permits still pending approval, and suspending new “welfare gun” programs.
Government agencies will also inspect gun dealers nationwide and verify sales records, inspect ammunition at shooting ranges to check that they’re following regulations, and “accelerate crackdowns on illegal firearms, rigorously prosecute offenders, and request maximum penalties from the court,” the directive read.
Broader Reforms
The statement also lays out broader reforms that will take longer to legislate, such as increasing penalties for offenders, tightening ammunition controls for gun dealers and ranges, and requiring that gun permits be renewed on a more frequent basis.
An initial compensation of 1 million baht (about $30,166) has been approved for six of the deceased victims, the statement said.
The mass shooting has shone a new spotlight on Thailand’s high levels of gun ownership, both licensed and unlicensed. Thailand has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia, with around 15 guns per 100 people.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
