Revisit the 1958 Firearms Act (Nigeria)

Josey1

Revisit the 1958 Firearms ActOPINIONJanuary 23, 2002 Posted to the web January 23, 2002 Dr. Ikilama EmmanuelIt is a well-known fact that arms and ammunition of various sophistications are being smuggled into the country on a daily basis. Some of the gun runners appre-hended admitted that it is a very lucrative enterprise, it then goes without saying that the vast majority of the "imported" arms fall into wrong hands.Just the month of December, 2001. A Philanthropist in Ibadan was shot dead by assa-ssins. He was killed around 9.05 pm on his way to his residence. It was gathered that the assassins had trailed the deceased for some minutes but he was vigilant enough and speedily raced to his mansion: But at the entrance of his home there was a little delay in opening the gate and sensing danger, he quickly made a detour but was later caught up by his assailants, who killed him. The same month again we woke up to the terrible news of the killing of the country's chief law officer in his bedroom. If he was armed the story could have been different. I am of the opinion that the 1958 firearms act and regu-lations should be amended to make it possible for respon-sible and sane adult Nigerians to bear hand guns.In Nigeria of today, it is considered our-dated to own a double barrelled shot gun - the only gun permitted for civil use which fires 2 rounds at a time, while criminals move about with guns that can fire between 8-30 rounds at a time.The 1958 firearm act and regulations is archaic and should be amended to suit the sophisticated Nigeria of today, if we are to curtail the sense-less attack on law-abiding citizen. We Nigerians, I beli-eve have the right to defend ourselves and our family members instead of becoming easy target for criminals to shot and kill at will. http://allafrica.com/stories/200201230124.html