Experts worry that it would empower pro-juntagroups and help escalate the violence and near-daily clashes

Tribune Desk (DhakaTribune)

February 13, 2023 1:20 AM

Military-ruled Myanmar is set toallow civilians "loyal to the state" to apply for licences to carryfirearms, according to media reports and an unverified government document.

The leaked document, purported tooriginate from the home ministry, was reviewed by Reuters and other media. Itset out criteria for those seeking a gun licence.

The move comes almost two yearsafter the Myanmar military's coup and at a time when the regime is facingever-growing resistance nationwide from People's Defense Forces (PDFs) andethnic armed organizations.

Experts worry that allowingcivilians to carry guns would empower pro-junta groups and only serve toescalate the violence and near-daily clashes between the military and armedresistance forces that have raged nationwide.

The conditions that figured inthe document included an age threshold of 18 years and a demonstrable need fora gun for security purposes, in addition to the loyalty requirement.

Reuters could not immediatelyverify the 15-page document, and it was unclear when such a law would takeeffect. Telephone calls to a military spokesperson to seek comment went unanswered.

The document provides for membersof counter-insurgency bodies, officially formed militias and those retired fromthe military to carry pistols, rifles and submachine guns so long as they havesuch a permit.

It added that the militarygovernment would have the right to import and sell firearms and ammunitionlicensed by the defence ministry.

Anti-regime activists havedenounced the new policy.

The new policy is a supplement toa policy originally introduced in 1977 during the military regime led by thelate dictator General Ne Win. The policy was subsequently halted after the 1988pro-democracy uprising.

Since then, only some retiredmilitary personnel and well-known business people have been allowed to holdweapons by special permit.

Junta supporters have welcomedthe new policy, saying that it will make it easier for pro-regime militia toaccess arms for self-defense.

The Southeast Asian country's topgenerals led a putsch in February 2021 after five years of tense power-sharingunder a quasi-civilian political system created by the military.

US-based conflict monitoringgroup Acled says about 19,000 people died last year as the military's crackdownon protests led many to take up arms against the junta.

About 1.2 million people havebeen displaced in the strife and more than 70,000 have left the country,according to the UN, which has accused the military of war crimes and crimesagainst humanity.