The recent murder of two leading politicians in Yen Bai Province by a chief forest ranger once again revealed weapon management loopholes in Vietnam.
On August 18, Pham Duy Cuong, secretary of the Yen Bai Party Committee, and Ngo Ngoc Tuan, Chairman of the provincial people’s council, were shot dead by Do Cuong Minh, director of the provincial Forest Protection Agency, who turned the gun on himself and later died in hospital.
The two officials in Yen Bai Province shot dead recently
At a discussion on August 23 on the draft law on weapon and explosive management, deputy chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Security, said that it was unacceptable for Cuong to be allowed to bring his gun into the offices.
Many articles about the use and trading of weapons and explosives and their illegal use have been published in local newspapers.
On August 1, the Vnexpress online newspaper published an article about the quarrel due to the collision between a taxi driver and a soldier. The driver insulted the man and soldier threatened to shot him. The dispute ended when another military officer calmed the situation.
On August 23, Tuoi Tre Newspaper had an article about the case in which a policeman in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, used a gun with rubber bullets to shoot a local man in the back.
At the discussion, many National Assembly deputies proposed tightening controls over the management of weapons and explosives. Weapons should only be provided to those who are on duty. Only individuals who are state employees should be allowed to manage and use weapons.
According to Deputy Minister of the Public Security Le Quy Vuong, after finishing their duty, the weapons should be returned to the management unit, not bring them to their home.
Opinions on the proposed change will be submitted to the National Assembly Standing committee for consideration.
