THE security situation in the country, especially in Karachi, has gone out of control of the police, Rangers and the government. Crime is at its peak and criminals now rule the roost. People do not know when and where they will be robbed of their cars and valuables at gun-point.

People arriving from international flights at Jinnah International Airport at Karachi, especially at night, are looted on the way while heading for their homes. Similarly, motorists are looted by criminals at gun-point when they are stuck in traffic jams caused by pooling of water on the roads after heavy rain, especially after the sunset.

At present people are faced with a very difficult and dangerous problem, that is how to defend themselves when confronted with criminals at gun-point while they are unarmed. The worst point here is that even they have licensed arms, they can only keep these in their houses and cannot carry these with them for their self-defence.

This is because the government has banned, by imposing section 144, the carrying of licensed arms, even if these are concealed, outside their houses in public places, on roads and in bazaars, knowing well that these are the places where people become vulnerable to criminals.

It is also known to criminals that people in streets and any other public place and in cars are unarmed and thus they pounce on their target at will, without any fear.

It is pertinent to note that on page 4 of the arms licence the licence issuing authority ticks only ‘protection’ and strikes out ‘sports and display’.

But even then the government does not allow licence-holders to carry their legal arms for their protection. This amounts to tying up the hands of law-abiding citizens and making criminals free to do whatever they like. This is very sad.

However, under the prevailing law and order situation in the country, especially in Karachi, there seems to be no other remedy to deter criminals except to induce fear in them by allowing citizens to carry their licensed arms for self-defence.

The other possible remedial measures to deter criminals are the use of non-lethal defensive weapons by citizens for their self-defence against criminals. For example: Stun guns, dart guns, cap sten and mace. These non-lethal defensive weapons do not fall in the category of firearms and also do not require a licence to possess.

These weapons can knock down any size of attacker overriding the nervous system and removing voluntary muscle control quickly, putting the attacker to the ground disoriented, weak and helpless for up to 15 or so minutes and there is no permanent damage or danger of death if used properly.

This gives enough time to the user to escape or call the police. These weapons can be purchased at a reasonable price from the firms dealing in security products. But whether a person carries a firearm or a non-lethal weapon, it must always be borne in mind that he or she is fully trained to handle the weapon and aware of safety precautions to be taken while using against the assailant so that the life of the other person is not endangered.

I therefore, suggest that while it is becoming difficult for the police and other law-enforcement agencies to control crimes and save lives and property of citizens, the government should allow citizens to carry their licensed arms for their self-protection in a concealed manner. This will deter criminals and they will think twice before pouncing on their target. On the other hand, citizens will feel safe and crime will reduce also.

SQN LDR S.AUSAF HUSAIN Karachi

Deweaponisation policy

THE deweaponisation policy is excellent but not practicable. In the past, three martial laws — in 1958, 1969, 1977 — and an elected government in 1998 tried to deweaponise the country under dreadful laws but failed for the simple reason of compulsion of personal security against criminals.

Revalidation of arms licences was also carried out in 1998 without achieving any positive result but the government departments concerned and law-abiding licence holders suffered. We have yet to reconcile to two ground realities. One, crime is committed by a criminal using any type of weapon (even a dagger or an axe) and not by the weapon.

Two, law-abiding citizens need weapons for self-defence, particularly when even law-enforcement agencies are not safe.

We should seriously consider the wisdom of the US National Rifle Association’s slogan: If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns! We should also consider success of those well armed and well organised communities in Pakistan and elsewhere where criminals dare not enter.

I humbly appeal to the federal government to concentrate on combating criminals with the cooperation of law-abiding armed citizens, avoid disarming the law-abiding citizens, and consider deweaponisation when the security situation permits.

M. AKRAM NIAZI Rawalpindi