Tarakan, North Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Residents of Lumbis Sub-district, Nunukan District, North Kalimantan, turned in five hand-made firearms they had used for hunting to the local Indonesian Military’s (TNI) village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa).
Commander of the Nunukan District Military Command 0911 Lieutenant Colonel Albert Frabtesca said here on Sunday, that residents' initiative to hand over the firearms is due to military personnel's persistence to inform residents about Indonesia's firearms regulations.
He applauded the military officers' success in educating local residents on the emergency law No. 12 of 1951 that regulates firearms ownership.
"What we are doing now is to create public security, and some residents have begun to understand (about national firearms regulation)," Frabtesca stated.
He also urged residents still holding firearms to hand over the gun to the authority, as military personnel will continue informing residents about the regulation that prohibits illegal ownership of firearms.
Meanwhile, Commander of 0911-05/Lumbis Sub-district Military Command Captain Agus Purnomo said the hand-made firearms were handed over to the authority by two residents, representing some of their friends currently in Malaysia.
Such action exhibited residents' awareness of security and order in their regions has grown, he said.
Purnomo noted that the firearms retrieved by the military authority were owned by their parents and used for hunting in the forest.
"They carried the firearms to protect them from wild animal's attack because they often stayed at a hut (while hunting)," the captain said.
Purnomo added that besides the firearms, three 12-mm caliber ammunition, including two that are still active, are also handed over to the authority.
Related news: West Kalimantan residents voluntarily hand over nine illegal firearms
Related news: Four suspects named in firearms smuggling case at East Aceh prison
Related news: Brimob officer killed, two firearms grabbed: Papua police chief
