Thailand suspends new gun permits after mass shooting

Thailand’s government will immediately stop issuing gun permits after a shooting incident last week in which a 14-year-old killed eight people and himself.

Existing gun owners are already banned from carrying their weapons in public.

The South East Asian country has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the region, with around 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, and high levels of gun crime.

In response to the recent shooting, the prime minister has promised to pass tough new gun control laws with severe penalties, suspending new permits in the meantime.

Last Friday, a pupil at Debsirin Nonthaburi School outside Bangkok shot his grandparents using a handgun owned by his grandfather, before opening fire at teachers and students at school, authorities say.

Both grandparents, five staff members at the school and one 12-year-old girl died.

Police believe the shooter may have taught himself to use a gun via social media.

They say there is evidence that the boy watched violent content online, and that he showed a strong interest in learning how to handle guns.

His consumption of this content as well as anxiety over studies and family issues might have also fuelled his actions, they add.

Until further notice, no new permits to purchase or own guns will be issued. Existing purchase permits will not be renewed but it is unclear what will happen to existing gun ownership permits.

Permits to carry guns were suspended in late 2023 – owners must keep their weapons at home or at a shooting range.

The government is also considering measures to persuade the owners of an estimated four million unlicensed guns to hand them over in the wake of the school shooting.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said the announced measures will remain in place as the government works to pass new gun control laws, with stronger controls and significantly harsher penalties.

Gun control advocates have called for mental health assessments as part of the permit process, and for permits to be periodically re-evaluated.

Anutin has said stricter ammunition controls are in his sights, while the education minister has proposed screening at the entrance of schools to stop students from bringing in weapons.