Bangkok: The deputy government spokesperson clarified measures to control firearms, emphasizing that both illegal and registered firearms will be dealt with strictly, including regulations on possession, carrying, and use of weapons, to ensure public safety.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, addressed criticisms of the government's approach to gun control, stating that the government listens to all suggestions, including concerns about the right to self-defense and the impact on shooting athletes. However, she urged a separation of facts from interpretation, as the government is still drafting the details of the new legislation. Therefore, pre-conclusions such as a 100% ban or a complete denial of the right to self-defense are not yet final decisions. The Deputy Spokesperson explained that the Prime Minister's core principle is to bring the possession, carrying, and use of firearms under stricter control. It is crucial to distinguish between the right to possess and the right to carry and use firearms, as these are not the same right. Having a legally registered firearm does not mean the right to carry it in public or use it at will. "The key issue, therefore, is not whether the governmen t will prioritize tackling legal or illegal firearms first. The government must address both. Illegal firearms are already against the law, so they must be suppressed decisively. Registered firearms must also be thoroughly inspected and their carrying and use strictly controlled. Every firearm must be subject to a control system because when a gun is used in a crime, the stake isn't the registration certificate, but the lives of citizens," Ms. Lalida stated.
Ms. Lalida stated that on August 11th, the government implemented several measures simultaneously, including suspending the new welfare gun program, suspending and revising the issuance of firearms purchase licenses (P.3), regulating related licenses, inspecting firearms and ammunition dealers, inspecting weapons and ammunition at shooting ranges, linking databases through an electronic system, and strictly cracking down on illegal firearms. 'Therefore, questioning why the government isn't addressing illegal firearms may be incomplete, as the government is working on both fronts simultaneously. We must not allow illegal firearms to persist, and at the same time, we must not allow the term 'registered firearm' to become understood as meaning it can be carried or used anywhere, anytime,' Ms. Lalida said.
Regarding proposals to enhance the screening process for gun owners, including background checks, database development, and cracking down on illegal firearms, the deputy government spokesperson stated that the government is listening and that many aspects align with measures already being implemented. As for proposals involving physical and mental health checks, or a "set zero" approach requiring all gun owners to return to the screening process, these are proposals that can be studied, but require consideration of legal aspects, impacts, agency readiness, and fair criteria before implementation.
'Regarding public safety, there's no need to compete on who offers the strongest proposal. If a proposal is good and feasible, the government is ready to listen. But before accusing the government of being emotional, please look at the entire plan. What the government is doing involves regulating licenses, dealers, ammunition, databases, firearms in the system, and illegal firearms - addressing the issue from the source to the end,' said Ms. Lalida. Regarding concerns that citizens will be unable to use firearms for self-defense, even within their homes, Ms. Lalida stated that the government's policy does not abolish existing laws. The principle of lawful self-defense under Section 68 of the Criminal Code remains in effect. Whether the use of force or weapons in any situation is lawful must be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the facts and proportionality of the circumstances. 'Therefore, the public should not be led to believe that the government is enacting a law prohibiting self-defe nse at home, because there is no new legislation that defines that. On the other hand, claiming self-defense through firearms should not be used as a reason to normalize carrying guns in public areas, because we cannot know from seeing someone carrying a gun whether they are doing so for self-defense, to intimidate, or to prepare for a crime,' Ms. Lalida concluded.
Regarding shooting sports, the government acknowledges the concerns and will consider the details to ensure appropriate use for sports. The Prime Minister's idea of ??inspecting and storing weapons and ammunition in suitable locations is part of a plan to enhance inspection capabilities, not a conclusion that the government will end shooting sports or close off opportunities for participation. Concerning the comparison of cannabis policy to gun control, the deputy government spokesperson stated that each issue should be considered separately based on the facts and laws of each case. If any cannabis shops or businesses are found to be violating the regulations, information and evidence should be submitted to the responsible agencies for investigation and legal action. The government is ready to investigate complaints, but using specific cases to conclude the overall effectiveness of the policy, or preemptively concluding that gun control measures will also fail, may be unfair to the facts of both situations.
The deputy spokesperson stated that the government agrees that enacting laws alone is insufficient. The government must clearly communicate to the public which types of firearms ownership, carrying, transportation, and use are permissible and which are illegal. The government will also encourage the public to report illegal firearms. The government's goal is not to instill fear of the law, but to make everyone aware that gun ownership comes with significant limitations and responsibilities. Guns should not be easily carried in daily life or displayed to intimidate others. 'The government will control the entire process, regulating ownership, carrying, use, trade, and ammunition, and will seriously crack down on illegal firearms. Because the ultimate goal is not to win political debates, but to find ways to remove guns from people's daily lives as much as possible and make Thai society safer,' Ms. Lalida said.