Regulating arms licences
The government�s move for amending the existing arms policy with the objective to curb rapid proliferation of arms licences deserves appreciation
The draft of the Arms Policy of 2016, which is currently being amended by the home ministry, states that nobody would be able to get an arms licence without training from the relevant authorities, according to a report in this newspaper yesterday. Under the new policy, persons who are entitled to possess an arms licence would have to pay at least Tk 5 lakh annually in income taxes. The new provisions also stipulate that rather than individuals, only organisations such as financial institutions, readymade garment factories and educational institutions would be allowed to obtain firearm licences. We welcome the governments initiative.
It is clear as daylight that establishment of democracy in a country is not possible without establishing the rule of law. It is difficult to establish rule of law in a trigger-happy society. After the liberation of Bangladesh from the yoke of Pakistani domination, the country saw rapid proliferation of arms licences.
Leaders and activists of different political parties and their front organisations, particularly those enjoying blessings of the powerful quarters, tried to establish their dominance in different arenas. Possession of arms played a dominant role in this regard. Successive governments patronised the persons loyal to them and this trend contributed to proliferation of arms instead of curbing the same. In many cases, possession of arms caused a lot of harm than giving benefits.
Arms are required for the security of life and property of people. But misuse of it may be fatal. Free run of arms breeds social unrest; it encourages macho culture and criminal propensity. Moreover, hooliganism may take root and judgement and reason may take a back seat. Since the independence of the country, no policy was taken to control licences of arms. Taking advantage of the possession of arms, persons with sinister designs did a lot of misdeeds in the past.
Moreover, persons possessing arms may have scant respect for the rule of law also. Therefore, under the circumstances the governments move for amending the existing arms policy with the objective to curb the rapid proliferation of arms licences deserves appreciation. It is expected that the amendment will contribute to strict regulation of arms in the country.
