Yemen strives to stop firearms proliferation [Archives:2008/1176/Health]

Mohammed Al-Asaadi with Ghamdan Al-Yusufi
The Media Line
Until recently guns in Yemen were almost as common as water. But bearing arms in the streets was banned a year ago. The Media Line reports on whether the legislation has made any difference.

Muhammad never thought that the pistol he kept for self-defense would one evening kill his own child, when the boy took his father's gun to play with.

In Yemen there are many such tragic stories about gun victims. It is not unusual to read a newspaper report about a bride who has been accidentally killed by her new husband on their wedding day as he celebrates by firing into the air and loses control over his Kalashnikov AK-42, which is the most popular gun in the country.

Men in Yemen have been obliged to give up part of their traditional manhood following the ban last August on weapons carrying in the cities, a ban that the authorities are working tirelessly to enforce.

The Yemeni Ministry of Interior has deployed hundreds of security personnel at almost all entrances of the capital to inspect for firearms. Drivers and passengers have to show their IDs to patrolling police at main intersections, as the police are also searching for 160 wanted security suspects.

Deputy Interior Minister Mohammed Al-Qawsi told The Media Line that his ministry released 234 arms dealers after about two weeks under arrest. All guns confiscated from 300 closed firearms shops are being held by the authorities until further notice.

Al-Qawsi said the Yemeni constitution guaranteed the right of all civilians to possess firearms for self-defense purposes. However, owners are prohibited from carrying guns in public in an attempt to reduce crime and human and property losses.

“People can have their own guns in their homes for self-defense