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EDITORIAL: Uncontrolled firearms
In what was supposed to be a peaceful fasting month, residents were shocked by the news of two armed robberies that ended in murder within just three days.
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Thousands of firearms are reportedly in the hands of civilians, while police estimate half of them are illegal as owners do not seek to extend their licenses. (Shutterstock/File)
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n what was supposed to be a peaceful fasting month, residents were shocked by the news of two armed robberies that ended in murder within just three days. Davidson Tantono, 30, was shot in the head and died instantly on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, when he chased after two men who were robbing him of a bag containing Rp 350 million (US$26,327) in cash. We also reported that on Monday afternoon Italia Chandra Kirana Putri, 22, was fatally shot attacking two men with a broomstick when she caught them attempting to steal her motorcycle in Tangerang, Banten.
Jakarta Police chief Brig. Gen. Suntana said that police are carrying out raids to search for illegal firearms and explosive materials and to update police records of authorized firearm holders.
Apart from the loss of lives, the relative ease criminals have for acquiring guns is no less alarming, exposing any resident to the risk of being shot. Police added that they are monitoring distributors of homemade firearms in West Java and Lampung in southern Sumatra.
Last month police said they had shot dead one suspect of a criminal syndicate in Lampung, a syndicate police suspect was involved a string of armed robberies to steal motorcycles in Koja, North Jakarta.
Indeed, even without firearms robbers have used sharp weapons to fatally injure victims. However, the possession of guns by criminals heightens the risks to any resident. Despite police limiting permits for gun possession among civilians to those in certain professions, such as lawyers, who must pass psychological tests, sources including lawmakers nevertheless cite the ease of acquiring guns. Thousands of firearms are reportedly in the hands of civilians, while police estimate half of them are illegal as owners do not seek to extend their licenses.
Especially in the cities, criminals operate any time of the year, but criminals particularly see Ramadhan as providing much opportunity particularly through, among other things, the increasing need of people to purchase new or used motorcycles as they are a favorite mode of transportation for people heading to their hometowns. Other opportunities for robbery lie in the couriers and shoppers who are carrying a lot of cash, especially when employers distribute the annual Idul Fitri bonus to employees. Police have also urged neighborhoods to step up their night patrols.
As we near the holiday season, which this year starts in late June, we are reminded to keep our homes as secure as possible — especially when we leave them to head out of town for family gatherings. The heightened flow of money, increased consumption and vacant homes — particularly in areas where neighbors don’t really know each other — provide many opportunities in the eyes of thieves.
It is of little comfort that police recently arrested the suspected members of the motorcycle syndicate, as they made a similar announcement last year about a syndicate they said was also operating in both southern Sumatra and West Java. Tightening controls over firearms in the hands of civilians is only one of the urgent steps needed to make us a little safer.
