Bambang Soesatyo Clarifies Statement on Civilian Firearms Ownership

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker, Bambang Soesatyo, on Monday clarified his recent statement that stirred public opinions after he suggested the National Police (Polri) to allow civilians the right to bear arms, in this case, he suggests the legality to carry 9mm firearms for self-defense. 

“Do not believe news pieces that have spun my statement as if I had suggested the National Police chief let civilians own and carry firearms. That is outlandish,” wrote the MPR Speaker who is often called Bamsoet in a written statement on Monday.

Bamsoet is also the chairman of the Perikhsa (The Special Self Defense Weapons Permit Holders Association). 

He clarified that his statement talks about gun ownership that must abide by the National Police Chief’s Regulation No.18/2015 which mandates the ownership of an International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) certificate issued by PB Perbakin following a series of stringent tests. 

“The tests include physiological tests, firearms knowledge test, skills and safety reaction tests, and must participate in strict training sessions regarding field skills,” said Bambang Soesatyo. 

Moreover, the national police chief regulation also limits the ownership of firearms for civilians to non-organic non-automatic firearms, which are firearms that are not the standard used by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

Read also: Bambang Soesatyo: My Reputation is the House's Reputation

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI