PM Anutin orders seven urgent gun-control measures
Thailand will freeze new welfare-gun schemes and P.3 licences, audit gun dealers and require P.4 licences to be renewed every three years
- The issuance of new P.3 firearm purchase licenses and new welfare-gun schemes have been suspended until further notice.
- Existing P.3 licenses will be reviewed nationwide, and purchasers must apply for a P.4 possession license within 30 days of acquiring a firearm.
- Authorities will conduct nationwide inspections of gun dealers to compare sales records with licenses and inspect ammunition at shooting ranges for legal compliance.
- Enforcement against illegal firearms will be intensified, with instructions for stricter prosecution and the pursuit of severe penalties for offenders.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered seven urgent measures to tighten firearms control and tackle illegal gun possession, including suspending new welfare-gun schemes and the issuance of P.3 licences to purchase firearms.
Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said Anutin issued the instructions during a Cabinet meeting, directing relevant agencies to close gaps in existing controls and prevent firearms from reaching people who should not possess them.
The government will also pursue three longer-term measures, including amendments to firearms legislation, mandatory renewal of P.4 licences every three years and stricter controls on ammunition.
Anutin has meanwhile followed up on medical care, compensation and psychological rehabilitation for people affected by the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi.
Seven urgent measures
The Prime Minister ordered the following immediate actions:
- Suspend new welfare-gun schemes until the Cabinet decides otherwise.
- Suspend the issuance of P.3 firearm purchase licences until the Cabinet decides otherwise.
- Review P.3 licences nationwide. Registrars must check outstanding P.3 licences under which no firearm purchase has yet taken place and report the findings to the Interior Ministry within 30 days.
- Bring P.4 licensing into order. People who have received a P.3 licence and already purchased a firearm must apply for a P.4 licence to possess and use it within 30 days of the Cabinet resolution. Failure to do so will mean the firearm is considered to be possessed without a licence.
- Inspect gun dealers nationwide. The Department of Provincial Administration must compare dealers’ sales records with P.3 licences. Any discrepancies are to be prosecuted, while the Revenue Department will also examine tax-payment records.
- Inspect ammunition at shooting ranges. The Department of Provincial Administration, Royal Thai Police and relevant sports authorities must jointly verify compliance with the law. Violations are to be prosecuted and tax records examined.
- Step up action against illegal firearms. Administrative authorities and the Royal Thai Police have been instructed to intensify enforcement, prosecute offenders strictly and seek severe penalties from the courts.
Firearms law changes due within 60 days
The government also set out three longer-term measures.
- Modernise firearms legislation. The Interior Ministry has been instructed to propose amendments to the Firearms Act and submit a draft within 60 days. The changes would introduce real-time electronic systems covering licensing and firearms transactions, with data linked to the Customs Department and Revenue Department.
The proposed changes would also expand the recording of firearm identification data, strengthen controls over firearms trading and dealer responsibilities, and increase penalties for offenders.
- Require P.4 licences to be renewed every three years.
- Tighten ammunition controls. Gun dealers and shooting ranges would be required to reconcile daily ammunition sales with remaining stocks.
