THE number of gun-related deaths and injuries in the world is alarming. Every day, as many as 1,000 people die, while millions more are wounded from firearms or guns. According to Gunpolicy.org, there are at least 875 million firearms in the world. 75 percent of these guns are owned by civilians. Every year, eight million new firearms plus 10 to 15 billion rounds of ammunition are manufactured. These are enough bullets to shoot every person in the world—twice.
The proliferation of firearms in the world and the magnitude of violence they bring is a human security concern. Widespread illegal possession of guns can be attributed to criminal activities ranging from drug trade and burglary to human trafficking and gambling.
Another grim reminder is the recent death of a former Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter who was shot dead in broad daylight on Monday, April 13. Melinda Magsino was shot at the back of her head by a male assailant who instantly the crime scene fled through a waiting motorcycle driven by another suspect.
Authorities are investigating whether Magsino’s death is related to her previous job as a journalist. Magsino is a known critic of local politicians in Batangas. According to her relatives, Magsino has many enemies but the victim didn’t mind, not even the death threats.
Malacañang strongly condemns the incident and vowed to “pursue her assailants and bring the perpetrators to the bar of justice.” For his part, Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay described the incident as “a tragedy to her family and to our democracy.”
“Ms. Magsino was a local journalist who also used social media to exercise her freedom of expression and her civic duty. For this she was silenced. Let us make sure that she does not become another grim reminder of the continued culture of impunity in the country,” Binay said in a statement.
Regardless of motive, this heinous crime is another reminder that safety and security are still pressing concerns that all people must share. If law enforcement agencies fail to address this issue effectively, every life is compromised. The loss of confidence in the government and authorities might lead to more citizens resorting to guns to protect themselves, fueling the demand for firearms. This unfortunate trend might increase the number of weapons that could potentially fall into the wrong hands.
The United States has initiated a rigid review and revived debate on the federal gun laws in America. With strict security measures, the country enforces effective gun control laws.
In the Philippines, there are more than 800,000 licensed firearms and another 500,000 loose guns. Most of the seized crime guns are unlicensed. The country has existing marching orders to the law enforcement authorities to strictly implement the country’s laws on gun regulation and to crack down on unlicensed firearms as well as private armies in the country.
According to the House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the Philippine has stricter gun laws compared to the US. It has also existing marching to law enforcement authorities to strictly implement the country’s laws on gun regulation and to crack down on unlicensed firearms as well as private armies in the country.
An intensified crackdown on loose firearms and the deployment of more law enforcement authorities to patrol the streets should be part of an immediate action plan to avoid a repeat of the incident.
(AJPress)