From people's police newspaper, Sept. 11, 1992
Journalist: Do you want to eliminate guns?
I'm a merchant with a big business and lots of money, so it is necessary to have a gun with me to protect myself
and my money.
Also, it is easy to be proud in front of the policemen and to make them not act so haughtily towards a merchant
like me. Having money, as you know, there is no shortage of guns. We can buy as many guns as we want. So, if we
eliminate guns, it will be like taking the tigerskin off my body.
And how about you, soldier?
You don't know? Speaking of soldiers, there is nothing better than having guns with us. If a soldier doesn't have
guns, we wouldn't call him a soldier.
In the shop, if anybody dares to cough, not feeling afraid of lead slugs, we will let them taste it immediately
because guns are used for shooting-it doesn't matter where. Without guns, we wouldn't be able to get pretty girls.
So if guns were eliminated, of what things could I be proud?
And what about the policeman?
We policeman have guns to guard ourselves and to seize the offenders. But most importantly, we have guns to be
proud and show off ourselves and, in the bar or at the brothel, guns make us look fierce and handsome. So, eliminating
guns is just like having no power in our body.
And how about you, young schoolboys?
For us, having guns will create favorable conditions for us to drive motorbikes naughtily, and wage an anarchic
situation our own way. And not even the policemen, they do not so much dare to cough, because we have guns. If
they dare to cough, we will warn them-to show our power.
And even girls, they would prefer those who have guns because they think we are "handsome." And, with
guns, we could court and get girls quickly. Despite being young, we also love to go to the bar and brothel. And
there, those who have guns are just like feudal lords. So we do not want to eliminate guns.
And what about you, the devilish group?
Guns are the most important means in our lives. As you the journalist knows, without guns we cannot rob anybody
everyday, because most of the people have guns to protect themselves. So there is no need to eliminate guns-because
having guns is just like having money.
And how about you, gentlelady?
My husband is a gun smuggler. Since he started this illegal business, my family has been much more well off-we
have a car and a villa and money to go to the bar every day.
My husband has backers and he knows big business people. If guns are eliminated, I will lose my business. So, for
me, there's no need to eliminate guns.
And you the doctor-what do you think?
I don't want to eliminate guns. As you the journalist knows, the more robberies we have, the more fighting with
guns there will be. And we will have more injuries and it brings about better sales of my medicines.
Since there have been a lot of injuries, I have earned a great amount of money-they will pay whatever price I charge.
I earn money lawfully and so easily. So, why should I want to eliminate guns?
- Translated by Moeun Chhean Nariddh
Contact PhnomPenh Post for full article
Post Media Co LtdThe Elements Condominium, Level 7
Hun Sen Boulevard
Phum Tuol Roka III
Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Meanchey
12353 Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Telegram: 092 555 741
Email: [email protected]