Official sources:Crime declines by 35% [Archives:2007/1083/Front Page]

By: Saddam Al-Ashmouri
For Yemen Times
SANA'A, September 4 ) People were mixed when the government made a decision to prevent the carrying of firearms in main cities. Some of them supported the decision, considering it a positive step. Some of the governorates such as Al-Mukalla, Rada', Sana'a and Amran experienced massive marches in support. Some sheiks, who always have armed body guards, also stand for the decision. “We are the first ones who will drop fire-arms”,” Sheik Sanan Al-Khawlain said.

He also added, “The government has taken this historical step to get rid of this dangerous phenomenon. However, the consequences will be dire as the community is used to carrying fire-arms for decades. It is so hard for the individual to drop his weapons.”

“I think that firearms have led to crimes all over the country”, Al-Khawlani added.

Major General, Al-Qawsi, the Ministry of Interior's deputy, confirmed that the ratio of crime had declined by 35 percent during the last week of August. “1522 weapons caches have been controlled, of which 48 percent are from the capital secretariat of Sana'a,” Al-Qawsi declared.

However, the Ministry of Interior had mentioned, in its annual report on mortality, that deaths and injuries due to the use of fire-arms during the period from 2004 to 2006 stands at 23, 577. .

According to the report, an astonishing 84,72% of these incidents and crimes are caused by the spread of fire-arms between people.

Moreover, in 2004, a law had been issued to regulate carrying,, as well as possessing weapons. However, the law faced strong objection by the parliamentarians as they have a significant number of bodyguards.

The parliamentarian, Fuad Dahaba, said, “We as parliamentarians would be a typical example in following with alacrity. However, the problem is that the government had taken the decision all of a sudden. It should have been taken gradually. It is hard for the community to accept it as fire-arms are a source of pride among tribal communities.”

“I think there should be some kind of equality in this respect. All people should be equal according to laws. But when the law is applied to some people and not others, it will trigger hatred in the state,” Dahaba added.

However, the ministry of interior announced the application of a bylaw to the regulation for the protection of senior government officials. Yet parliamentarians, members of consultative council, ministers, and higher judges can obtain licenses for pistols for their bodyguards. A 60 day time limit was given for the commitment, as well as for licenses. The security parties will conduct campaigns at the level of the secretariat of Sana'a and main cities of the governorates to control violators. However, the decision stressed the importance of hiding bodyguard weapons, even they are licensed.

In regards to the implementation aspects of the government's decision, the Deputy of the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that no incidents had taken place in the first day of the plans application.

The source praised the response of the state's officials as well as security and military leaders in complying with the law. This plan will be implemented in three phases. The first phase will last for three months, however, the second and the third will continue until September 2008.

Moreover, security forces had conducted campaigns from 2004 to 2006 to control weapons levels that were reaching 213,106, including 3115 pistols, 251 grenades, 204 various fire-arms and 41,573 ammunitions.

Saleh Azam, whose gun was confiscated, said, ” I don't care about confiscating my gun since the law will be applied for everybody.”

However, some people referred to the constitutionality of the law:

Additionally, sheik, Ali Bin Sudah, said, “The pride of the tribesmen is in their fire-arms. I think nobody will leave his weapons whatever the cost. Weapons have been with us since the revolution and have become a symbol of manhood. It may be possible to apply this decision at the entrances of the main cities but in the provinces it is impossible to do so, “he added.

For social figures and businessmen who desire to possess pistols, they should head to the Office of the Minister of Interior for the issuance of a license.

Finally, the Ministry of Interior urged all Yemeni people to play their vital role in cooperating with them to fight this negative scourge and to enhance stability for the safety of Yemen.
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