In the face of escalating insecurity in the country, one of Nigeria’s most proactive Senators, Sen. Ned Nwoko is proposing a bill for Nigerians to have the right to bear arms for self defence.
In the spirit of the proposed bill, it is believed that if Nigerians are allowed to bear arms, criminal elements including terrorists, killer herdsmen, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, etc, will think twice before embarking on any criminal venture. When a criminal knows that his potential target is armed, he will think twice before embarking on any criminal adventure.
Families and Innocent people have been traumatised and dehumanised by criminal elements simply because of the poor security architecture of the country. Bandits can enter a whole village, operate for hours and go away, with any response from the police or other security agencies. If such villages are armed in a way that is backed by law, they will be able to defend themselves before help will come from security agencies. These are the type of situation the bill intends to address.
Though, there are those who are of the opinion that if arms are allowed, it will worsen the already precarious security situation in the country. This may not be completely true. Because, when people are in a good position to defend themselves against criminal attacks, crime and other associated violence will reduce drastically.
However, there are stringent conditions attached before an arm will be approved for a citizen.
Highlights of the bill include:
✅An applicant for arm must be mentally and psychologically stable.
✅Doctors are to medically/psychologically examine an applicant to confirm eligibility.
✅The King of the community an applicant comes from must write a recommendation letter on the applicant.
✅Police DPO to confirm the elegibility & criminal status of an applicant. For instance, a citizen with a criminal record will not be granted license to bear arm.
✅Training schools for shooting classes to be established.
✅All intending arm owners to be trained on how to effectively handle firearm.
✅Certificate in arm use proficiency to be issued by accredited shooting training schools.
✅There will be shooting clubs to encourage responsible use and handling of firearms.
Nigerians are expected to support the bill. Though yet to pass through first reading at the floor of the Senate. If adopted, the bill will be subjected to public hearing.
What is your take on the bill?
PIONEER NEWS 