Major General Nguyen Huu Cau gives comments on the management and use of weapons and explosives.

Continuing the program of the 8th session of the 14th National Assembly, on the morning of November 14, the National Assembly discussed the draft Law amending and supplementing Article 3 of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Support Tools. Minister of Public Security To Lam participated in explaining and clarifying the opinions of National Assembly deputies on the draft law.

Discussing at the hall, the majority of delegates expressed their high agreement with the Government's proposal on the draft Law amending and supplementing Article 3 of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools.

Delegates said that in Vietnam, the management of military weapons is very strict. However, the demand for using military weapons to commit crimes, especially organized crimes and violent crimes, has not decreased. Therefore, criminals have used homemade weapons with similar features and effects to military weapons to commit crimes.

National Assembly delegate of Nghe An province Nguyen Huu Cau speaks to contribute ideas. Photo: Duong Giang VNA

Delegate Nguyen Huu Cau (Nghe An) assessed that, from the reality of fighting against crime, this is a very serious crime. The types of weapons that criminals often use include shotguns, revolvers, pen guns, homemade guns... which are very lethal. When committing crimes, these types of crimes often cause particularly serious consequences, infringing on the lives and health of others. Therefore, criminal handling of acts of manufacturing, trading, transporting, storing, using, and illegally appropriating weapons with similar functions and effects to military weapons is extremely necessary, demonstrating a consistent criminal policy in Vietnam.

However, regarding the review report of the National Assembly Standing Committee on amending and supplementing Article 3 of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools, there are currently two different views. The first view is that the problem is due to the concept of military weapons in the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools not stipulating that weapons have the same features and effects as military weapons, so it is necessary to amend Article 3 of this law.

There is also a view that crimes must be regulated in the Penal Code, so it is necessary to amend Article 304 of the 2017 Penal Code to ensure consistency and uniformity in the legal system. If Article 3 of the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools is amended, it will affect Articles 18, 19, 20 and 73 of this Law.

Explaining the opinions of National Assembly delegates, Minister of Public Security To Lam affirmed that the delegates had contributed very valid opinions, stemming from problems in the practice of managing, using, and combating violations of legal regulations on the management of weapons, explosives, and supporting tools.

The Minister of Public Security affirmed that the amendment and supplementation of Article 3 of the Law is necessary and appropriate, consistent with the provisions of the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017, in order to promptly overcome difficulties and obstacles, and not leave legal gaps in criminal handling of acts of manufacturing, trading, storing, transporting, illegally using, and appropriating weapons with features and effects similar to military weapons, contributing to ensuring national security and ensuring social order and safety.

PV