Gun Control

POLICE confiscated 140 homemade guns from hunters, gang members and gun-makers in Kampong Cham's six main districts between February and July, the Kampong Cham provincial police chief told the Post. "I've ordered my men to search for homemade guns and confiscate them since February. We bring them in and educate them so they stop making or using homemade guns," said Nuon Samin, the Kampong Cham police chief. He said the guns would be dangerous if they were to fall into the hands of drug users or gangsters. "Those homemade guns can kill people. They can break sheet metal," he said. Neang Sovat, provincial coordinator for the local rights group Adhoc, said he welcomed the confiscations, but that any effort to crack down on the distribution of homemade guns will be futile if the police presence in the province is not bolstered. "I am sure that the police will not be able to stop people from using those homemade guns if they don't also improve security," he said. Nuon Samin said police had yet to send someone to court for possessing a homemade gun.