SANDAKAN – To curb illegal homemade gun activities, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali is proposing setting up a gun factory in Tawau.
He said the making of homemade guns like bakakok and ginsuk for poaching is rampant in Sabah, especially in the east coast districts.
“I propose we set up a consortium, a factory to make firearms. The people’s representatives can make a proposal.
“Rather than (let people) make their own illegal guns behind their houses, we make legitimate and legal guns to reduce illegal ones, so they can have firearm licences bound by rules and regulations,” said Hazani in his opening remarks at the Firearm Licence Renewal 2021/2022 ceremony for Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Beluran and Lahad Datu at the police headquarters here today.
He said police investigations revealed there are firearm licence holders in Sabah who have been selling bullets on the black market for bakakok and ginsuk users.
Hazani said he will propose that the purchase of bullets be limited to a maximum of 100 bullets per licence holder.
“From inspections and intelligence activities, we found that the illegal selling and buying of bullets in the black market involve a much higher price, but the activity persists due to high demand among illegal firearm owners.
“The police will conduct inspections and investigations on this from time to time,” he said, reminding firearm holders not to be involved in the crime.
Hazani also asked firearm licence holders to ensure their firearms are stored properly to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands.
“I must remind all licence holders that it is a crime to show or expose your firearm to other individuals, unless you are in a dangerous and risky situation that would result in harm to yourself.
“Your firearm can only be used to defend yourself or your property,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hazani said there is a possibility that owning a rifle, including calibre .22s, will no longer be allowed.
“For the time being, we are not going to renew licences for rifle ownership as we are still waiting for a decision from the inspector-general of police on the matter. However, it is most likely that rifles will be banned for good,” he said.
Hazani said for the time being, firearm licences for animal hunting are only issued for shotgun owners for the hunting of wild boar and junglefowl, subject to approval from state police and Sabah Wildlife Department. – The Vibes, July 26, 2021
