Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Local News
Written By: Lina al-Maghrbi
Article Date: Apr 8, 2008 - 8:07:38 AM
The Taiz Governor has confirmed in a debate at Taiz University that the government’s weapons carrying ban is universal, from which no citizens are exempt.
The governor confirmed that the campaign will continue because it is in the best interests of people who respect the law, and he called on all officials to set a model for the public.
Brigadier general Yahiya al-Hisami, the Taiz security commander, disclosed that the government campaign has corresponded with official procedures such as the closing down of weapon retail stores, and building a database on national gun ownership.
Governor Mohammed al-Himiari confirmed in his speech that the weapon ban resolution will heavily affect investment and crime in the area. He confirmed that public weapons ownership exceeds all that is found in neighboring countries.
He added that the national statistics of 2004-2006, put gun-related crimes at 24,623, resulting in 23,500 victims. 5,000 were reported dead.
He said that Yemen experiences huge economic losses due to fire arms, including the dampening effects on tourism, development and social safety.
Al-Hisami assured that Taiz has one of the highest rates of gun ownership out of all governorates, confirming that there are 162 thousand weapons in circulation, of which several thousand were seized in the last few years. He pointed out that 16 thousand criminal cases were recorded, 622 of these took place within two months before the weapon ban resolution, and 300 cases within the two months following the resolution, with a rate of 42 percent difference. The figures themselves show the political leadership and social support that the ban enjoys.