Bangkok gun traders say Thai crackdown misses the mark

Gun shops in Bangkok's historic district, once filled with firearms, now display empty shelves as a crackdown on gun imports aims to curb violence. Suchart and Friends Gun, a shop that once specialized in firearms, has transformed into a bakery due to the ban on importing weapons since a 2023 mall shooting. Owner Warintorn Boonyachai still hopes to lift the ban, noting it's less tiring than baking bread.

The crackdown intensified after a 14-year-old gunman killed seven people in separate incidents near Bangkok, before taking his own life. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul proposed a new law to suspend the issuance of new firearm purchasing and ownership permits, aiming to further restrict the market.

However, Thititorn Bupparamanee, president of the Firearms Traders Association of Thailand, argues the measures are ineffective. He believes tighter controls on gun purchases may push individuals towards illegal channels, exacerbating the issue. Thailand's civilian gun ownership is the second-highest in Asia, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian hands, equating to approximately 15 guns per 100 residents, according to a 2017 estimate by the Small Arms Survey. Around 6 million of these are registered firearms, with 4 million unregistered.

The industry is valued at approximately 2 billion baht (US$60.40 million). One gun store, operating for nearly seven decades, currently has only two guns for sale and six staff members, but they cannot sell the guns or import new ones due to the ban. Staff, not authorized to speak to the media, remain silent on the matter.

Public opinion varies, with one student's mother supporting gun ownership but advocating for stricter controls, including restrictions on carrying weapons outside the home. She believes more scrutiny is necessary due to the potential danger of knives as well.