Myanmar junta to let ‘loyal’ citizens carry guns, sparking fears of increased violence
- Decision to license guns is widely seen as a way for military government to arm its supporters to help state security forces battle pro-democracy opponents
- After a massive but unsuccessful popular pro-democracy uprising in 1988, the military revoked gun licenses for civilians and ordered people turn in all firearms
The new policy would allow people over the age of 18 to be licensed to carry several types of guns and ammunition. The document says recipients of gun permits must be “loyal to the nation, of good moral character” and not involved in disturbing state security. It also says license holders must comply when instructed by local authorities to participate in security and law enforcement actions.
Two pro-military online news media quoted Police Brigadier-General Kyaw Lin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, as saying that the policy revives and modifies one introduced in 1977 by the government of the late dictator General Ne Win. After a massive but unsuccessful popular pro-democracy uprising in 1988, the military revoked gun licenses for civilians and ordered people to turn in all firearms.
The decision to license guns is widely seen as a way for the military government to arm its supporters to help state security forces battle pro-democracy opponents.
Criminal activity has reportedly increased due to the chaos caused by the fighting and the government’s focus on battling its political opponents. Most violence, however, involves fighting between the army and guerillas belonging to the pro-democracy People’s Defense Force, the loosely organised armed wing of the main opposition group, the National Unity Government, and their allies in ethnic minority militias.
The NUG was established by elected lawmakers who were prevented from taking their seats when the army seized power and serves as an underground parallel national administration.
Nan Lin, a co-founder of the University Students’ Unions Alumni Force, a nonviolent pro-democracy activist group, said the military is taking the action because it is under great political and military pressure.
“The military still can’t see the situation correctly. I think they are trying to create more conflict and break down society,” Nan Lin said on Monday.