Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel    Supply minister discusses strengthening cooperation with ITFC    Egypt launches initiative with traders, manufacturers to reduce prices of essential goods    SCZONE chief discusses strengthening maritime, logistics cooperation with Panama    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Licensing a private weapon is not an option in Egypt
Published in Daily News Egypt on 07 - 11 - 2008

CAIRO: Adel Abdel Maguid, 27, an accountant at an oil company, never imagined that he would ever need a gun to defend himself.
What had started off as a vehement dispute with his landlord who wanted to evict him, gradually evolved into a potentially violent situation when, upon returning from work one day, he was warned by the gateman that four thugs were waiting at his flat to force him to sign a clearance document saying that he will voluntarily leave the apartment.
"I simply needed a gun, he said.
And that was when he learned that obtaining a licensed weapon for the purpose of self-defense is a near impossible feat.
Officials at the local police station told him that in the slim chance that his license application for the weapon is accepted, he will still need approval from state security, the criminal investigations department, the governorate and the morality police. The process could take between three or four years, he was told.
"You're only allowed to inquire about the items and their prices, said a salesman at gun store in Downtown Cairo.
"We have instructions not to elaborate on how these weapons are used or what they can do. You're only welcome to buy or get tips on brands and rates, he said.
Another dealer elaborated, "It used to be easier a few years ago, but you can only dream about getting an official license. Of course this is affecting our sales.
There are only three or four weapons outlets in the entire capital which sell hunting rifles, cap guns and half automatics all of which can only be purchased with a license.
While the prices of cap guns could range from LE 300 to LE 5,000, the value of real guns is anywhere from LE 3,000 to LE 30,000.
But in addition to the prohibitive cost of owning a weapon and the severe restrictions imposed on licensing them, the licenses too are a deterrent, going between LE 6,000 to LE 10,000.
It was always widely believed that the highest percentage of citizens bearing weapons is in Upper Egypt and among the Bedouins because of the specific nature their tribal customs and traditions.
However, Mokhtar Showeib, a journalist and author of a few books on terrorism, disputes what he believes is a misconception.
"It is a myth that only Upper Egypt is the hotbed for personal weapons in the country, he argued. "With the current economic boom leading to the creation of a business elite, we can't assume that competition among them is always peaceful.
"Browse through the crime pages and you will be surprised to see that not only are business tycoons armed, but so are a large number of people living in villages surrounding Egypt's northern cities, he continued.
Showeib concedes that it's wrong to think of terrorism only in political terms.
"To facilitate the use of arms among is a second level of terrorism which supports a range of illegal business practices like drug-trafficking, he explained. The Interior Ministry no longer accepts membership applications in any of Egypt's shooting clubs and even those whose licenses have expired are often unable to have them renewed and are requested to hand in their weapons at the nearest police station.
But unlike Showeib, sociologist Nadra Wahdan from the National Planning Institute believes that such restrictions may not be ideal.
"These restrictions aren't useful in the long run, she said. "They could encourage the illegal use of arms for self protection and make it difficult for investigators to track down criminals through ballistics tests.
Showeib disagrees.
"The presence or absence of license has little to do with tracking down criminals. We have such a high crime rate with unlicensed guns and white weapons, just try to imagine what it would be like if the authorities facilitated licenses.
While Showeib calls for increasing the number of private security firms as a better means of protection, Mahmoud Sabry, a former military officer and owner of Sun Services for private security, disagrees.
"By law security firms are only licensed to protect establishments not individuals, he said. "If my business provided bodyguards to individuals, we'll be shut down instantly. The law does not allow individuals to hire thugs for their own protection, so when you see bodyguards with VIPs, they are actually licensed as secretaries or public relations officers. The protection of individuals remains the state's responsibility.
Sabry noted that in the coming decades security will become an expensive commodity because in the future robberies and embezzlements will involve huge amounts of money amid the yawning gap between the rich and the poor.
Gamal Azer, a kitchen utensils dealer in Ghamra nods in agreement as he recalls the day his apprentice threatened to stab him and steal the money he kept in the safe.
"Luckily I had a taser, and I used it, he said.
Tasers and pepper spray don't require licenses.


Clic here to read the story from its source.