Myanmar junta to let ‘loyal’ citizens carry guns, sparking fears of increased violence

Name: Myanmar under the military junta 2 years on: Thousands dead, economy in shambles, future uncertain
Uploaded: 2023-02-14T08:00:17.000Z
Duration: 3 min 33 s
Description: Myanmar under the military junta 2 years on: Thousands dead, economy in shambles, future uncertain

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

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Sithu Maung, an elected member of parliament in the 2020 election, aims a gun at a training camp in an area controlled by ethnic Karen rebels, Karen State, Myanmar. Photo: Reuters/File

Associated Press

Published: 4:00pm, 14 Feb 2023

Myanmar’s military government plans to allow people who are “loyal to the nation”, including government employees and retired military personnel, to carry licensed firearms, but they must comply with orders from local authorities to participate in security and law enforcement actions, the military and media reports said.

The announcement fanned fears of even more violence in a country wracked by what some United Nations experts have called a civil war.

The military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi two years ago, triggering widespread peaceful protests that turned into armed resistance after security forces used lethal force to suppress all opposition.

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Myanmar under the military junta 2 years on: Thousands dead, economy in shambles, future uncertain

A 15-page document about the new gun policy attributed to the Ministry of Home Affairs was initially circulated on pro-military Facebook accounts and Telegram channels. It was also published by pro-military and independent news outlets, which stated that it had been issued on January 31 after being approved in December at a Cabinet meeting.

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.

The military’s spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, confirmed the policy Sunday to the BBC Burmese-language service, saying it needed to be issued because some people were asking to carry weapons to protect against attacks by antimilitary groups.

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.