Aerial firing and gun use

Revellers across the world celebrate New Year with festivities and a party atmosphere just as the clocks tick past midnight. Fireworks, concerts, ceremonies and political addresses are held marking the transition to 2020 as a new decade dawns upon us.

Unfortunately, the situation is much different in Pakistan as raucous behaviour leads to several untoward incidents every year. There are reports that thirteen people including two women and a child were injured in aerial firing in Karachi, while similar incidents were also witnessed in other cities. The skies echoed with celebratory gunfire as the police appeared helpless and unable to take any swift action.

The government had imposed a ban on aerial firing and display of weapons but our society refuses to abide by the rules. While many took to the streets in jubilation, the festivities turned tragic for others.

Celebratory gunfire is the norm at weddings, political gatherings and any other festive occasion. This is expected in a society where weapons are considered a status symbol, in fact a social necessity coupled with lax laws making our society awash with guns.

This does not mean there are no negligent incidents in other countries. In India’s largest city Mumbai, more than 170 people were arrested for drunk driving and traffic rules violations. Similar incidents are seen in Western countries with hangovers and other debaucheries. Everyone has the right to celebrate but not at the cost of physical harm and injury to others.

Pakistan is one of the largest importers of weapons with an estimated 22.1 firearms per 100 persons. As of 2017 there are an estimated 44 million guns in civilian possession. Out of these only six million are registered. 

Pakistan has a major gun problem and no one wants to talk about it. The authorities do not want to take any serious actions either. In 2011, the Supreme Court ruled to cleanse Karachi from all kinds of weapons but no legislation was passed. The failure to do so has placed Pakistan global grey lists. Law enforcement agencies made efforts to de-weaponize cities by announcing amnesty schemes for illegal weapons but found little success.

Unlike countries such as the US, the constitution of Pakistan does not provide the right to possess arms . There is little public debate on gun control in Pakistan unlike gun politics in the US. Gun legislation should be a priority for the government but more importantly, we need to change our mindset about the celebratory firing custom: guns actually kill people.