Nghe An deploys the model of 'Exchanging weapons for fire extinguishers' to prevent disorder and insecurity caused by illegal storage and use of weapons and fireworks.

Creative and practical model

Tien Phong is a mountainous commune located in the Northwest of Nghe An province, with many ethnic minorities living there, and people's legal awareness is still limited. The mountainous terrain and long-standing farming and hunting practices have led to many people making and carrying weapons when going to the fields... This situation not only poses a potential risk of violating the law, but also affects local security and order. More worryingly, in the context of strong development of social networks, accessing and buying and selling weapons, explosives, support tools (VK, VLN, CCHT) and fireworks has become easier than ever, especially among young people.

In order to raise awareness of law enforcement and ensure social safety, Tien Phong Commune Police have deployed the model of "Exchanging weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks for fire extinguishers". On August 1, the first day of the National Day for National Security Protection combined with the ceremony to call on all people to hand over weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks, the Commune Police force received 25 homemade guns and 5 rudimentary weapons voluntarily handed over by people.

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Thuan - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Tien Phong Commune Party Committee: Illegal storage and use of weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks not only endangers human life and health but also seriously affects social order and safety. Therefore, the model of exchanging weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks for fire extinguishers is a practical way, both helping people raise their legal awareness and providing them with necessary means for fire prevention and fighting, contributing to building a safe and civilized residential area.

In Thuan Trung commune, also on August 1, propaganda activities and the organization of the National Day for the Handing Over of Weapons, Explosives, Chemical Weapons and Firecrackers were effectively carried out. As a result, the Commune Police recovered 10 knives and swords of various types, 3 homemade guns, 2 electric batons and 10 homemade firecrackers.

To increase the spread, the Steering Committee for Crime Prevention, Social Evils and Building the Movement for the Whole People to Protect the National Security of Thuan Trung Commune has applied the model of exchanging weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks for fire extinguishers, aiming at the goal of every household having fire prevention equipment at home. At the same time, the local government has organized a commitment signing with 100% of households not to illegally produce, trade, transport or store weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks.

Mr. NVT, a resident of Thuan Trung commune, said that he had previously purchased a homemade gun for bird hunting through social networks. However, after being informed by the commune police about the dangers and violations of the law related to the possession of weapons, he brought the gun to hand it over. “Implementing the model of exchanging weapons for fire extinguishers is very reasonable. It not only helps people to be more aware of the law, but also encourages them to proactively protect themselves and the community,” said Mr. T.

In Tam Thai commune, on the same day, the commune police coordinated with local authorities and Tam Hop Border Guard Station to organize a launching ceremony for the National Day of Handing Over Weapons, Explosives, Firearms and Firecrackers. Immediately after the launching ceremony, many people actively responded. Many individuals voluntarily brought weapons, explosives and firecrackers to hand them over. On the first day alone, Tam Thai commune received 10 flintlock guns, 3 electric shockers, 3 knives, 1 sword and 1 fish-shooting gun.

Tpropaganda appropriate to each locality and target audience

According to statistics from the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order, Provincial Police, in the first 6 months of 2025, the police forces of units and localities in the area mobilized to recover a large amount of weapons, explosives, CCHT and firecrackers. Specifically, there were 401 guns, 753 bullets, 7 grenades, warheads, bombs; 31 detonators; 2.5 meters of slow-burning wire; 2 kg of explosive precursors; 34 support tools; 134 rudimentary weapons; 318.2 kg of firecrackers; 871 firecrackers, tubes, and boxes; and 60.05 kg of firecrackers voluntarily handed over by people. Along with that, 34 cases of law violations related to weapons, explosives, CCHT were discovered and handled, arresting 122 related subjects.

The above results show the positive effects of the synchronous and drastic participation of the entire political system, police forces, departments, branches, organizations and local authorities, towards the common goal of ensuring security and order, for the peaceful life of the people.

Identifying the propaganda and mobilization work to hand over weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks as one of the important solutions in preventing crimes and violations of the law, the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order Police has proactively advised the Provincial Police leadership, thereby advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue documents directing the strengthening of propaganda and dissemination of laws. The focus is on the new regulations of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives, and Fireworks, which will take effect from January 1, 2025, while closely following the characteristics of the organization of the local government apparatus according to the current 2-level model.

Based on the general direction, the police force of communes and wards in Nghe An has promoted its core role, advising local authorities to deploy many diverse, creative and appropriate propaganda activities for each residential area. Many forms of communication have been applied synchronously such as broadcasting announcements and appeals on the local radio system; organizing parades and mobile propaganda on main roads; printing and hanging banners and posters; and signing commitments with representatives of villages, hamlets, communes, socio-political organizations, requiring strict compliance with legal regulations on management and use of weapons, explosives, explosives and fireworks.

Notably, in many commune-level localities, creative models in mobilizing the handover of weapons, explosives, CCHT and firecrackers have clearly demonstrated effectiveness, creating a ripple effect in the community. Models such as "Exchanging weapons for fire extinguishers", "Exchanging firecrackers for rice and helmets"... not only encourage people to hand over, but also contribute to raising awareness of fire prevention and fighting, ensuring safety in each household. The role of village elders, prestigious people, and religious dignitaries has also been highly promoted, contributing to bringing propaganda work closer to people in remote areas.

In addition, propaganda work on cyberspace is also focused on through posting videos, articles, infographics on social networks, fanpages of police agencies and coordinating units, to reach groups of teenagers, who are vulnerable to being lured into illegally using weapons, explosives, CCHT and fireworks.

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To continue to effectively implement this work, the police force needs to proactively advise local Party committees and authorities, especially to promote propaganda appropriate to each locality and each target. People need to clearly understand the level of danger and legal consequences of illegal storage and use of weapons, explosives, explosives and firecrackers.

At the same time, the authorities must also focus on reviewing and making a list of subjects with criminal records or suspected criminal activities related to this field to monitor, combat and prevent them in a timely manner.

Colonel Tran Ngoc Tuan - Deputy Director of Nghe An Provincial Police