Illegal guns are pervasive in Laos as government measures to control them have been largely ineffective, a government official with knowledge of the situation said.
Under current law, Laotians must register weapons they own with authorities, but that is largely unheeded — leading to crimes committed with guns.
In September, for example, a group of unidentified armed men stormed a prison in Vientiane, fired at guards and escaped with five prisoners.
“Many wealthy Laotians buy weapons from the other side of the Mekong River,” said a Public Security Ministry official, who like other sources in this report requested anonymity so he could speak freely without retribution, referring to Thailand and Myanmar.
“They smuggle them into Laos,” he said. “There are too many guns in the country right now. It’s difficult to control the spread of weapons because they bought the guns, but they wouldn’t register them with us.”
It is difficult to determine just how many people have guns, he added.
The Ministry of Public Security issued an order on Aug. 16 notifying citizens that it would cancel authorizations to use firearms issued by all security departments that were not in compliance with a decree on registration and control of guns dated June 23, 2022.
‘Guns are everywhere’
The ministry also said it would set up a police force to implement a prime ministerial decree on confiscating and controlling weapons and explosives, and that this force should “invite” gun owners to hand over their firearms.
Those who fail to comply within 15 working days will be charged with illegal possession of firearms.
Still, a resident of the capital, Vientiane, said gun control was weak, noting that there have been more shootings there in the past several years.
“Guns are everywhere. Our community is not safe,” he said. “Our security department is not strict and not effective.”
Many local officials and residents have some kind of weapon despite the bans, said an official at the Houaphanh province police department in northeastern Laos.
The department has confiscated and destroyed many of the weapons, but he said many people own hunting rifles or air guns that they make from metal pipes or other materials.
On Oct. 11, authorities in the southern province of Savannakhet reported that police were able to register 3,140 guns from 2019 to 2023, including 1,870 short guns, such as pistols, and 1,270 rifles. They also confiscated 265 illegal guns and 1,113 bullets during this period.
Guns are rife in the north, in the Chinese-controlled Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo province, a resident told RFA Lao. In June 2023, authorities arrested a Lao national for shooting two Chinese men in the zone.
“They sell them to each other like they are selling cake,” he said. “Safety protection and controls in the zone are based on who has money and authority in the zone.”
Translated by Max Avary for RFA Lao. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.