"There is still often confusion and multi-interpretation, both from the police and civilian weapon owners about when they can use their firearms," Soesatyo said here on Saturday.
According to him, the multiple interpretations regarding the use of permitted firearms by civilian owners have resulted in their criminalization.
Soesatyo, who is serving as chairperson of the Special Self-Defense Weapons Permit Holders Association (Perikhsa) and advisor to the executive board of the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Sports Association (PB Perbakin), said that the special regulation will regulate the rights and obligations of special self-defense weapons permit holders (IKHSA).
The regulation will cover the procedure for using the firearms, the mechanism for enforcing ethics, and the supervision of IKHSA.
He said that some time ago, there was a case where an IKHSA was criminalized because there was no specific regulation for them.
At that time, the IKHSA was arrested because he cocked his self-defense weapon to avoid being ganged up on.
"In fact, he only cocked (the weapon) in anticipation and put the weapon back in its holster, as well as verbally stated that he was armed to prevent being ganged up (on), but he had to face law enforcement," he said.
According to him, Perikhsa has submitted a draft academic text of a government regulation (PP) concerning special permits for civilians owning self-defense weapons to the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly.
The minister is also serving as chairperson of the Periksha Advisory Board.
The regulation’s existence, Soesatyo said, is very important because it can be used as a reference for making other guidelines for the police chief and the attorney general, hence, resulting in clearer provisions for civilian self-defense weapon owners.
"Currently, the legal foundation for IKHSA is regulated in general laws, including the Emergency Law No.12/1951 and Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) No.20/1960 concerning licensing authority based on the law on firearms," the MPR Speaker said.
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Translator: Narda S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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