Viron Gjymshana

Tirana, BASHKIMI, in Albanian 17 Mars 91  

[Article by Viron Gjymshana: “Should the Sale of Arms Be Legalized, or Should All Weapons Be Confiscated?”]  

       This question may scandalize many people and perhaps not without reason. This problem is as delicate as it is contradictory. However, we are all witnesses of the fact that real anarchy has enveloped the country. It seems that there are no more laws, and arbitrariness and force have taken their place. Crimes and acts of violence are spreading fast. Delinquents have become emboldened beyond all limits, hooliganism has become the moral norm, and theft has become official. Thefts are committed in broad daylight, in the middle of crowds, and people see them, but remain silent because they are afraid. Woe betide anyone who interferes.

        Even things that have never been customary among Albanians are taking place, such as the rape of women, while people and houses are being stripped of articles of value. Worried people ask whether this is democracy. No, this is not democracy, but chaos and anarchy, and democracy is “guilty” of this in only one sense: It is like the salve spread on a septic wound in order to permit the poison to leave it.

         The origins of these phenomena lie in the dictatorial state that brought poverty and turned the police into an appendage of the state security service, so that it now finds itself taken aback by this new situation. Plenty of excuses are offered: We are not armed (when we have everything, but atom bombs); we do not have enough personnel (when we must have double the number necessary if they were only dedicated to their noble duty of preserving the lives, honor, and property of citizens); we do not have laws (although we have always had laws, even laws that sent you to prison for 20 years for a single word); we do not have houses (this is an excuse not to work), etc. etc.    

         However, one truth is this: When there is general slackness among people, the government and parliament cannot demand 100-percent efficiency only from the police.

Meanwhile, under circumstances in which the police are incapable of securing order and calm for the people, it is necessary for every citizen to be in a position to defend himself, and to be armed. Then the “brave lads” of today, who are terrorizing people individually or in groups, will sober up at once.

       In fact, when we talk about the arming of the population, and the right of all those who have come of age to carry arms, we are talking about the arming of honest people because the terrorists, criminals, bandits and others that cannot be categorized are the best armed, and not only with knives and chains, but usually with [passage incomplete in original].

       The people, fair and honest individuals, will not be able to use weapons without exceptional reasons. Anybody who abuses the right to carry arms will be brought before the law, lest it should become necessary to confiscate all weapons.

DTIC

Defense Technical Information Center