The Assistant Programs Officer of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr. Gideon Asmah has issued a strong warning to the public about the serious dangers associated with possessing small arms or light weapons, even when they are legally owned.
He emphasized that while individuals have the right to legally own an arm, they should carefully reconsider their reasons for wanting to possess one due to the inherent risks.
“As much as possible, we tell you that yes, you are qualified to own it, but don’t go near it,” Mr. Asmah advised, highlighting instances where registered arms have ended up in the wrong hands.
“When it is registered, but it’s not in the hands of the registered person, then it becomes an illicit weapon. This person could go on and do a lot of damage with it.”
Speaking on ATL FM’s ATLANTIC WAVE, he assured the public that the Commission is committed to educating them on the severe consequences of using an illicit weapon, including life imprisonment and hefty fines.
“If you use an unregistered weapon, you’re looking at not less than a 10-year jail term or even life imprisonment. So, before owning a weapon, one should have a solid reason, and we will conduct all necessary checks before approval,” he stressed.
Mr. Asmah also expressed concern about the smuggling of illicit weapons into the country, noting the loss of life and property destruction that often results.
“Often than not, we want people to understand that it comes with dire consequences, causing death, causing injury, and sometimes even psychological effects,” he said.
He cautioned against brandishing weapons in public, stating, “One serious issue is you can’t just be brandishing your weapon. You will need permission from the IGP. It’s not something to be taken lightly.”
In anticipation of the upcoming elections, Mr. Asmah advised against the use of arms, especially among the youth, revealing that, “We actually have a campaign called ‘Ballot Without Bullets.’ It’s about going to vote peacefully. There’s no need to use small arms.”
He also encouraged individuals with unregistered weapons or those who have inherited weapons without proper transfer to visit the Commission for guidance.
“Guns do worse. We can just have a conversation. We don’t need to resolve issues with guns. If you want any gun-related information, just visit our website or social media pages. We’re here to help,” he concluded.
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Source: Flora Tang/ATLFMNEWS
