Thailand halts new gun permits following deadly school shooting
Thailand's government has suspended issuing new firearm permits after a 14-year-old killed eight people and then himself at a school near Bangkok. The prime minister has pledged to fast-track tougher gun control legislation.
Thailand's government has announced it will immediately stop issuing new gun permits in the wake of last week's deadly shooting at a school outside Bangkok. Existing firearm owners already face a ban on carrying their weapons in public.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in South East Asia, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms held by civilians, alongside notably high levels of gun-related crime.
Following the attack, the prime minister has committed to accelerating the introduction of stricter firearm legislation carrying severe penalties.
What happened at the school
Last Friday, a student at Debsirin Nonthaburi School used a handgun belonging to his grandfather to shoot both of his grandparents at home, before travelling to the school and opening fire on teachers and pupils, according to authorities.
The attack left both grandparents, five school staff members and a 12-year-old girl dead. Investigators believe the boy may have taught himself to use the weapon through content found on social media.
Authorities say evidence suggests the teenager had been watching violent online material and had shown a keen interest in learning to handle firearms. They add that this exposure, combined with stress over schoolwork and family difficulties, may have contributed to his actions.
