Laws on guns and listed narcotics will be strictly enforced to help solve the problems of gun violence and drug abuse, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday.
Gen Prayut was speaking after chairing a meeting to lay down urgent measures to tackle firearm and drug problems, attended by relevant cabinet members and representatives of state agencies including new national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas.
It was agreed that the law on guns and ammunition would be strictly enforced, particularly the issues of gun licences and permits for possessing and carrying firearms.
People who apply for these permits must meet all the criteria required by the law. There must be letters of certification from their immediate supervisors or local leaders verifying they have no mental problems or indulge in behaviour deemed detrimental to society. Their qualifications were subject to periodic review, as considered appropriate.
The meeting agreed that a permit to carry a gun in public could be withdrawn if the holder was found to have mental problems, use drugs or indulge in serious misconduct.
There would be serious crackdowns on illegal guns and sales of them online. Some laws and ministerial regulations on gun control would be revised in keeping with the changing situation, Gen Prayut said.
As for the prevention and suppression of illicit drugs, the meeting brought into consideration existing measures to control imports and exports of chemicals which are precursors for the production of drugs, along with the suppression of drug traders and seizure of their assets.
The meeting also raised for discussion the amount of a drug involved when deciding whether offenders should be treated as drug users or dealers. For example, how many meth pills, whether five or 15.
If necessary, laws would be amended for more effective enforcement, he added.
The prime minister said government officials found to have been involved in illegal drugs would be subject to heavy penalties.
Drug addicts must be brought in for treatment and rehabilitation, Gen Prayut said.