The People's Party received a letter from the Firearm Association urging the government to review the "Gun Control Bill," stating it is destroying businesses and law-abiding citizens instead of accelerating efforts to tackle illegal unregistered firearms.
On 28 Oct 2026 GMT+7 at the parliament building, the People's Party, led by Karunphon Thiansuwan (Party-list MP), Paramet Wittayaraksarn (Bangkok MP, District 1), and Witawat Tichawanich (Bangkok MP, District 15), received a letter from representatives of the Legal Firearm Owners Association of Thailand and the Firearm Business Association of Thailand. The letter opposed the government's proposed draft royal decree amending the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms Act B.E. 2490 (1947), viewing it as legislation that negatively impacts lawful firearm owners and industry operators.
Chakree Chaowanasmith, president of the Legal Firearm Owners Association of Thailand, representing over 100,000 members nationwide, expressed deep concern over the Cabinet's indefinite suspension of issuing Form Por 3 licenses for more than three months. This has prevented citizens from legally transferring firearms as inheritance, stopped shops from conducting sales, and barred lawful firearm ownership processes. These measures, along with the proposed royal decree tightening the Firearms Act, are pushing honest firearm owners into risk. Mr. Chakree believes the government should focus directly on suppressing illegal firearms and drugs rather than restricting lawful gun owners' rights.
Meanwhile, Thitithorn Buppharamanee, president of the Firearm Business Association of Thailand, highlighted severe economic crises faced by lawful firearm retailers due to a three-year continuous ban on firearm imports. This has caused liquidity shortages, forced many shops to lay off employees, and broadly impacted the sector. While the association supports training to promote responsible firearm use, the suspension of license issuance and excessive fees are damaging the business structure of honest operators. They urge the government to urgently reconsider these policies.
Paramet spoke on crime issues and the spread of illegal firearms, citing Royal Thai Police statistics showing that over 84% of gun-related crimes involve unregistered or illegal guns. In Bangkok, modified and homemade firearms are illegally sold online and offline at prices ranging from a few thousand to just over ten thousand baht without buyer background checks. He stated the government should urgently and effectively clamp down on these illegal guns instead of limiting the rights of lawful firearm owners.
Witawat noted that today's press conference was a good opportunity to reflect the voices of citizens and business operators to the administration. The People's Party is ready to act as a bridge to encourage all political parties to form a special committee to review and hear opinions from all sectors, including the public and professional associations, to jointly address sensitive legal issues and ensure fairness for all parties.
Karunphon concluded that legal and regulatory issues on firearm control have a ripple effect on owners, businesses, employees, and athletes who require firearms for competition. The People's Party calls on the government and relevant agencies to openly listen comprehensively to problems, urgently review unfair measures, and create space for all sectors to discuss and find solutions together through parliamentary mechanisms. This approach aims to ensure social safety while protecting the rights of businesses and citizens who lawfully comply.
