Cabinet Orders Strict Gun Control After Nonthaburi School Shooting
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sets a 60-day deadline for firearm law reforms and suspends all new gun licenses following a tragic shooting incident.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- PM Anutin orders urgent and long-term gun control measures after the school shooting incident.
- All new welfare gun projects and the issuance of (P.3) purchase licenses are suspended nationwide.
- Amendments to the Firearms Act introducing digital tracking and harsher penalties to be proposed in 60 days.
- Authorities instructed to care for the injured and provide mental health support for victims of the Debsirin Nonthaburi School incident.
Following the severe impact of the shooting incident at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province—where a student used his grandfather's firearm to shoot teachers and schoolmates, resulting in numerous casualties—Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul convened the cabinet to order a comprehensive crackdown on illegal firearms. The Prime Minister instructed relevant agencies to plug legal loopholes and prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing weapons, while urging officials to closely monitor the treatment of the injured and provide psychological rehabilitation for everyone affected by the tragedy.
To address the crisis, the government has established both immediate and long-term actions. The urgent measures include:
- Suspending all new welfare firearm projects immediately.
- Halting the issuance of new firearm purchase licenses (P.3) nationwide until further cabinet resolution.
- Auditing all pending and unfulfilled P.3 licenses across the country.
- Organizing possession and use licenses (P.4) for individuals who have already acquired weapons through P.3 permits.
- Inspecting firearm dealers nationwide.
- Reviewing ammunition supplies at shooting ranges.
- Stepping up suppression operations against illegal firearms.
The government's decision to freeze P.3 licenses while auditing existing P.4 permits marks a crucial step in closing regulatory gaps that often allow weapons to slip into unauthorized hands or youth access. Integrating electronic systems with the Customs and Revenue departments in the long term will enable authorities to trace trading routes and record firearm ballistics more accurately, aligning with international standards used to mitigate gun violence.
"By confirming that there is strictly no permission to purchase firearms until there is an order to change, along with rapidly organizing firearms in the country."
Anutin Charnvirakul
For long-term solutions, the Prime Minister has instructed the amendment of the Firearms Act. Key proposals include implementing electronic systems across all licensing and trading processes, integrating databases with the Customs and Revenue departments, enhancing firearm identification collection, tightening trade controls, increasing dealer accountability, and imposing heavier penalties for offenders. The revised legislation is slated for submission within 60 days.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Source: Khaosod Politics
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