Summary of 4 guidelines for "shooting athletes" after "Anutin" announced strict gun control measures
On 11 Aug 2026 GMT+7, the guidelines for shooting athletes were summarized after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced strict gun control measures banning 100% of firearms being taken out of homes, with no exceptions—even for shooting athletes who need firearms for training and competition.
There are 4 guidelines for shooting athletes as follows:
1. Thoroughly inspect the number of guns and ammunition at each club or shooting range.
2. Shooting ranges will keep the firearms. If athletes want to train, they must use the guns stored at the range and are not allowed to take guns home.
3. Athletes must register their ammunition purchases for training. The amount purchased and used must be accurate and verifiable against shooting range records.
4. After training, firearms must be left at the shooting range. Taking them home is not permitted, and reasons such as recently returning from training will not be accepted as exceptions.
Anutin said that previously, many claimed carrying firearms due to traveling for training as an excuse, but from now on, such reasons will no longer be exceptions. He emphasized that other countries also have strict gun control measures.
Sakol Wannapong, president of the Shooting Sports Association of Thailand, revealed that the association is ready to cooperate with the Prime Minister's policy by issuing warnings to athletes and their guardians about carrying firearms to training venues.
Sakol stated that no athletes or guardians have opposed the measures, as athletes already take care regarding firearm possession and storage. Shooting ranges provide secure gun storage rooms, which most athletes use regularly, although some had previously brought guns from home for training.
From now on, the association will implement measures aligned with government policy to control firearms leaving the ranges and reduce the risks of carrying firearms in daily life.
