Interior Ministry suspends gun-buying permits as part of gun controls

The temporary suspension of permits for individuals to buy guns, officially known as the Por 3 form, and a requirement for gun owners to renew their ownership licences every five years are among a set of short- and long-term measures issued by the Interior Ministry today at the instruction of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The measures were introduced in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on August 7, in which nine people, including four teachers and one student, were killed and about 20 others were injured.

An urgent letter issued today by Narucha Kosacivilize, director-general of the Provincial Administration Department, was sent to all provinces nationwide to implement the Interior Ministry’s new gun-control measures.

The short-term measures include suspending the gun welfare scheme until further notice from the Cabinet.

Under the scheme, which is usually initiated by state agencies responsible for maintaining peace and order, including the police, military, Customs Department and Revenue Department, and requires approval from the Provincial Administration Department, eligible officials can buy guns at below-market prices.

Another measure is the temporary suspension of the issuance of permits, or Por 3 forms, to buy guns until further notice from the Cabinet.

Those who have already bought guns must apply for a licence to own them, known as the Por 4 form, within 30 days. Otherwise, the guns in their possession will be considered illegal.

Registration officials nationwide are required to check how many gun-buying permits are still pending approval and how many have already been issued, and report the figures to the Interior Ministry within 30 days.

The Provincial Administration Department will also conduct thorough inspections of all gun shops to determine whether the number of guns and rounds of ammunition sold matches the number of Por 3 permits issued.

Gun shops will face legal action and tax inspections if discrepancies are found.

In the longer term, the Interior Ministry will amend the Firearms Act and introduce an electronic system for issuing permits to buy and own guns. The system will be linked to those of the Customs and Revenue departments.

Purchases of ammunition at gun shops and shooting ranges will also be subject to tighter controls.