Gun Control in Kuwait

[Tommy.Gun]

Anyone know anything about it?

[Wakal]

Not 100% sure, but from both of my trips over there at government expense (early 2002 and early 2001), chatting with the locals, civilians can't have anything.

Since 80% of their population is TCN (Third Country Nationals, folks from the PI, India, Pak, etc., brought in to do the actual WORK it takes to have a country), perhaps that doesn't exactly pertain to actual Kuwaiti citizens.

And since those silly little Middle Eastern countries are known for their blatent hypocrisy, I would not be surprised in the least to discover that with suitable connections (or bakesh), you could have whatever you want.



Alex

[Tommy.Gun]

Thanks, say anything you could tell me, advice? I'll be there when the war starts...

[Preacherman]

Your best bet is to check with the US Embassy there, or with the Kuwaiti Embassy here, before you leave. If the latter, and it looks promising, GET IT IN WRITING...!!!

[Wakal]

The war never really stopped over there...I'm Air Farce, though, so "war" is defined as "dropping bombs on someone then going for a beer." Rather liked the mission in Kuwait this year, we were throwing iron on Iraq and Afganistan at the same time

Bring those little travel adaptors...no matter what plug you will have on whatever-it-is you want to plug in, your tent will have the wrong socket. Guaranteed.

Bring decent sunscreen, the issue stuff sucks.

Surefire makes a cool flashlight, but you can't find those darn 3V lithium batteries anywhere. Even though they take the same goofy batteries, I recommend the LED lights like the iNova...they run forever on the same set. Boiled down to: bring flashlights and extra batteries. It is dark in them thar deserts. The well-dressed wargeeks have those cute little keychain LED lights (red) hanging off their LBE, on their dog tags, in their pockets...bring several.

And the usual stuff...550 cord, duct tape, something sharp and pointy...


Alex

[natedog]

dunno about kuwait, but a friend of mind in the oil business had to move to quatar. they were avid hunters, and had a collection of over 40 guns. they sold most of them and put the restin storage.

[armabill]

Terrible!

[TABING]

I've worked in lived in the Middle East (Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and now the United Arab Emirates)for nearly thirty years. You absolutely cannot legally own a firearm in Kuwait, and the other Gulf countries, penalties are five years just for the possession of a single bullet. These governments don't want their subjects having a means to replace them.

There are only a few countries where you can openly have a firearm, USA, Switzerland, Israel, Finland and a couple of others.

[Adam White]

Originally posted by TABING
You absolutely cannot legally own a firearm in Kuwait,

I don't doubt your experience, but I will say this:

I was walking along the beach in Fahaheel, south of Kuwait City in the Fall of '99. There in the distance I saw what made me do a serious double take - a GUN STORE. A huge Browning sign dominated the storefront. Winchester, Marlin, etc. signs dotted the windows. I found myself drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Inside - only one gun. The place had a few gun accessories and also outdoorsy clothing (a lot of Browning stuff). Over the door though was what looked to my untrained eye as a vintage Winchester 1894 rifle encased in glass.

The store owner was a bit freaked out at my presence - and he also spoke little English. I tried to ask him the questions we all would have in mind - but he was no help. I was able to get him to show me catalogs - he had catalogs from many of the major US and European rifle and shotgun manufacturers.

Anyway - it would seem that the right natural born Kuwaiti with the right connections can indeed own a gun - although probably just your basic type hunting guns - and surely with severe costs, restrictions, etc. involved. I never could get a straight answer from anybody - but I figure it's akin to asking some guy off the streets in the US about our Class III laws - most people truly don't know or understand - they assume it is all illegal.

I was with once out with a guy who got hassled by a Kuwaiti cop for having a leatherman. The cop actually told us - when asked - that we would have been equally hassled were he only carrying a screwdriver (why would any law abiding man need a screwdriver, he asked) - it is clear that the concept of individual liberties aren't exactly embraced.


Adam

[TABING]

Yes, it's true that there are gun stores here, but only highly placed people, princes and shieks and high ranking military can get permission to buy. Usually shotguns only. these and other guns must be kept locked up in shooting clubs, and not taken home.

On the other hand, I was at the shooting club (you rent the weapon and buy ammo, full auto available) at Um al Quwain, (right across the road from the flight school where the CIA arrested the Saudi who was taking flight lessons). The local police came around and asked if anyone wanted to join a firing squad for the execution of some Sri Lankan who was supposedly convicted of murder. Several shooters, (no Westerners that I could see) joined the squad of six policeman, in all about twenty guns opened fire on the guy and needless to say at least a few hit the mark.

Things are sometimes done differently in the Muddle East.

[4thHorseman]

You would think, a country that had been invaded and relied on a foreign country for it's freedom would enlist all it's citizens in the use of firearms. Like say for example.........ISRAEL............DUH, That's a no brainer..............

[MicroBalrog]

No way. I'm an Israeli, and I know. About 5% of the population are licensed to own guns.

[4thHorseman]

MicroBalrog, you maybe right, I was just going on my experience when I was over there. Almost every other person I seen was carrying a firearm. I guess 50 percent of the country must be in the army and be issued a gun.