Sindh government should organise weapons training, firing practice at their indoor miniature firing range at Karachi
KARACHI: This refers to a report regarding the Sindh government lifting a ban on carrying weapons. The ban was in place for four years and it has now been lifted on the premise that while criminals roamed around the city with arms, an ordinary person could not defend himself against them. Now people can carry licensed arms with them for self-defence but are not allowed to display them in public. This will discourage criminals from indulging in their nefarious activities and they will now think twice before pouncing on their target.
However, what is now important is that people in possession of licensed weapons should learn safe handling and usage of these weapons to avoid mishaps. They should also be aware of the right of self-defence under Section 96 and 97 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
I believe that the Sindh home department and the inspector-general of police, Sindh should facilitate licensed weapon holders by allowing them to use police firing ranges to practice. In this regard, I also suggest that the Sindh government allows private security companies and the All Pakistan Security Agencies Association Training School to organise weapons training and firing practice at their indoor miniature firing range at Karachi.
Sqn-ldr (retd) S Ausaf Husain
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2012.
