Gun Politics in North Syria (Right to Bear Arms)

Civilian ownership of firearms is completely banned and prohibited in the Kingdom of North Syria and only members of the army, law enforcement groups and palace guards are ever allowed to own a firearm. North Syria's gun ban regime was influenced by Japan's old gun control systems and Tunisia's near-gun ban.

Off-duty soldiers and police members are allowed to carry their firearms in public, via the acquisition of a separate license. Legal private ownership does not exist in North Syria, and government has the complete monopoly and control of all firearms in the country. All firearms are regulated by the Firearms and Projectiles Department of the National Bureau of North Syria's Homeland Defenses and Security, a national law enforcement group.

The policy of civilian disarmament came shortly after the formation of the Kingdom of North Syria. After it broke away from Bashar al-Assad rule Republic of Syria, King Fahad Abdul-Issam quickly passed the Peaceful Citizens Act, which completely banned all civilians from owning firearms, swords and combat knives. Abdul-Issam claimed that it was to promote a culture of peace and prove to the world that Muslims are a peaceful community.

Civilians were given one month to surrender all of their firearms and within that one-month span, the North Syrian government enacted many educational programs to encourage citizens to surrender their guns, and to discourage all gun culture from North Syria. As much as 10,031,311 firearms were collected and destroyed.

Former members of the North Syrian Coalition who opted not join the North Syrian Army also had to surrender their firearms.

The criminal charges for any citizen caught with a firearm is burdensome - including 1000 lashes and possibly - beheading. The only exception for civilian firearms are antiques and replicas for museum owners, in which the triggers are removed.

Airsofts, BB, pellet and paintball guns are strictly regulated which is what most of North Syria's weapons legislation is geared towards. Because of the cost and burden of the licensing, most owners of these imitation firearms mostly belong to the middle and upper class North Syrians. Shooting ranges in North Syria only can be for replica and imitation firearms. The only place where shooting ranges for real guns exist are those in North Syria's law enforcement training programs, schools, and the military facilities. Like real firearms, all sales of air, Airsoft, BB, pellet and paintball guns are regulated by the Firearms and Projectiles Department.

It should be noted that a "Replica Firearm" is not regarded per normal use of the word in North Syria. A "Replica Firearm" in North Syria is a recreation of any vintage historical weapon that may be too rare to acquire. Replica firearms are legal for museum displays. What other people would normally refer to as a "replica firearm" would be known as an "Imitation Firearm" and these would include air guns, BB guns, pellet and paintball guns.

Swords and blades weapons are also heavily regulated - and were confiscated shortly after the guns. Blades are only legal for kitchen use and butchering meat, as well as repairing electronics (for switch-blade knives). Like everything else, these had to be registered.

Firearms before the ban
Prior to the banning of guns in North Syria, almost all citizens had kept an assault rifle in their homes. Assyrian and Armenian Christians often used armed militia men to guard their churches from Islamic militants - and often against members of the North Syrian Coalition. As many as 11 million people were said to have owned a firearm.

Fahad Abdul-Issam promised that "all citizens" of the new Kingdom, whether they be Shi'ite, Sunni, Christian, Jewish or Druze would be granted with the God-given to "protect themselves from all harm, from all tyranny". This had hinted that citizens were allowed to keep their existing firearms.

Guns were an essential part of life in northern Syria. They were used as part of celebratory shooting during weddings, whether it be a Muslim, Christian, Jewish or Druze. They were also used for hunting.

Peaceful Citizens Act
When North Syria was recognized in 2012, King Fahad Abdul-Issam abandoned his earlier promise, and stated he needed to promote a culture of peace in North Syria, and not one of violence. His daughter, Princess Razia bint Fahad Abdul-Issam, along with many other North Syrian women were allowed to voice their opinions as King Fahad Abdul-Issam has been known to champion women's rights. Many of them suggested gun confiscation was necessary to prevent more civil war and violence.

On November 3, 2013, before the Islamic New Year, King Fahad Abdul-Issam passed the Peaceful Citizens Act (Arabic: قانون المواطنين المسالمين) which not only encouraged integration with the West, but also that of gun and weapons confiscation in order to promote a culture of peace in the new Kingdom. He also expressed the right to life as a reason.

In a statement, Abdul-Issam said, "Everybody has the right to live in a safe and peaceful society, this is a universal right to life. Therefore, we must disarm the public to ensure this safety and promote a culture of peace, safety and well-being."

The North Syrian Army, formed out of the North Syrian Coalition announced that they would start confiscations after the Islamic New Year. On November 7, the confiscations started. Princess Razia bint Fahad, led the Education Against Violence (Arabic: التعليم ضد العنف) a nationwide program meant to encourage citizens to surrender their guns, swords and knives and discourage them from owning one or attempting to reverse the act.

About a total of 10,031,311 guns were confiscated, mostly AK-47s and a couple thousands of M4-A1s and almost 20,313,000 swords. Any North Syrian Coalition member that chose not to became part of the new Kingdom's armed forces (an option made upon the Kingdom's formation), were required to surrender their guns as well.

Badir bin Salman al-Jabbar, the Chief-General of the National Bureau of North Syria's Homeland Defenses and Security stated, "North Syria is a country of peace. We do not need vigilantes, the police and the government will protect the people. We do not appreciate vigilantism here. Ordinary citizens have no use for guns, period."

Military policies
Along with the gun confiscation, the military of North Syria updated their weapons, getting rid of Soviet-era weaponry and using western weapons from the United States, United Kingdom and France. Members of the military and police units had to surrender their existing weapons in exchange for the new weapons from the United States.

Law enforcement
The only non-soldiers that may own firearms are members of a well-established and legally recognized law enforcement group such as the police or the Palace Guards and Royal Bodyguards. All law enforcement groups in the country are monitored and supported by the government, and all their firearms are provided by the government. The establishment of non-government supported groups is illegal, as it is classified as militancy, which is illegal in North Syria. Everybody and anybody involved with any such groups must attend a law enforcement academy - which are the only places that contain shooting ranges for real guns and even for the majority of training, police recruits use dummy ammunition or high-powered pellet guns.

Retired veterans and former police members
After soldiers and police members have completed their service, they are required to return and surrender their firearms so they can be used by the military and/or police to issue to newcomers and enlistments. However, veterans are allowed to obtain a License to Own for imitation weapons (see below) without having to submit a background check.

Off-duty police and soldiers
Members of the armed forces and any law enforcement members that are off-duty must attain a License to Carry (Arabic: رخصة حمل) to be able to carry their firearms in the public. These licenses are not granted to members, they must separately acquire them at an army recruiting station or a police station. Otherwise, weapons are required to be stored in lockers while off-duty.

Criminal offenses
Any citizen that is not a member of the armed forces or police and does not contain a License to Carry, caught carrying a firearm is considered a criminal offense and a "breach of peace". If the weapon was not used, then the person is to receive 500 lashes and possibly be discharged. If the weapon was used against any person, then it's 1500 lashes. Depending on the severity of the crime, beheading may be a punishment - though this is very rare, and has not yet occurred.

Air rifles and imitation firearms laws
After the ban, the North Syrian government also started to restrict the ownership of air rifles, BB guns and such toys that may resemble a firearm. These are known as "Imitation Firearms" in North Syria. The policy on imitation firearms was stated in the Peaceful Citizens Act, and a series of rules and laws were laid out, and all types of licenses are required for imitation guns.

Like real firearms, all imitation firearms are also regulated by the Firearms and Projectiles Department.

The North Syrian government also enacted many educational programs meant to discourage citizens from buying "toys of terror", and showing people the dangers of owning an air gun, Airsoft gun, BB gun and to convince people the type of violence it encourages.

Any person wishing to purchase an imitation firearm had to take physical and mental examinations, go through a background check and have references from family members stating that he/she is sane enough to carry it.

After that, either a Type 1 Permit, Own or Type 2 Permit to Own (depending on what kind of gun) or a License to Own would be issued to the applicant in which the person can then visit a  sporting store selling imitation firearms and make a purchase. All sales and transactions are strictly recorded, and sent to the police units who then forward the information to the FPD.

A Permit to Own would allow an owner to have their BB gun or Airsoft in their house as well as to into a shooting range - the only place an Airsoft or BB gun is ever allowed outside of the home.

Owners of imitation firearms are also subject to stringent storage laws (see below).

Because Airsoft guns contain an orange tip, they are not required to be concealed. However, because of BB and pellet guns do not, they are also required to be locked in a container because they can be mistaken for an actual firearm, and it is illegal anyways for non-license holders to have an imitation firearm anywhere outside the range.

Gun classifications
Different types of imitation firearms are classified into two groups, Type 1 and Type 2. Weapons in these groups contain different storage laws.

Type 1 Class
Type 1 imitation firearms include Airsoft guns that either spring-loaded or electric-powered, and made of plastic and contain an orange tip at the barrel and fire only plastic pellets. This is often known as the "light class".

Type 2 Class
Type 2 imitation firearms includes air guns, BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns and Airsoft weapons that are made of metal and gas-powered. Any high-capacity and gas-powered weapon belongs to a Type 2, regardless of whether it is plastic or metal or contains an orange tip or not. Type 2 also fires metal pellets, metal BBs and paintballs. This is often known as the "Heavy Class".

License classifications
Different types of imitation firearms require different licenses, and each license may take longer than others to obtain.

Type 1 Permit to Own
A Type 1 Permit to Own (Arabic: نوع واحد تصريح لعون) allows an applicant to purchase and own Airsoft weapons that are spring or electric-operated plastic Airsoft guns that contain an orange tip at the end. When transporting the Airsoft gun to a range, it is not required that the gun be hidden or out of sight, and must be separated from the ammunition regardless of whether is visible or not.

Holders of a Type 1 Permit to Own can only purchase plastic spherical ammunition, and may not purchase metal pellets or paintball ammunition. They can only shoot their Airsoft guns at a shooting range and no place else.

A person filing for a Type 1 Permit to Own must take an Airsoft shooting class, educational courses, a minor background check for any mental illnesses and a reference from one family member confirming that the person is sane enough to hold and operate an Airsoft gun. There is also a two-week waiting period in between.

Type 2 Permit to Own
A Type 2 Permit to Own (Arabic: النوع الثاني تصريح لعون) takes a much more stringent process, and a 28-day mandatory waiting period is implemented. A Type 2 Permit to Own allows an applicant to purchase metal and gas-powered Airsoft guns, BB guns, pellet guns and paintball guns as well as metal pellets.

Like the Type 1 Permit, holders of the Type 2 Permit may only shoot their imitation weapons or paintball guns at a shooting range and nowhere else.

In order to obtain a Type 2 Permit, an applicant must go through a thorough background check, a physical and a written test. The person must also swear an oath both on video, and sign a paper stating that he/she will never use the weapon for harm and only for sporting purposes. Unlike the Type 1 Permit which only requires one reference from family members, Type 2 applicants require that of a minimum of three family members as points of references, and each reference is to be interviewed by a member of the police, army or an operator of a shooting range.

License to Own
A License to Own (Arabic: ترخيص لامتلاك) grants citizens much more liberties with their imitation weapons or paintball guns than two previously mentioned permits. This license allows an applicant to own both Type 1 and Type 2 imitation firearms and purchase ammunition and pellets for both classes. A License to Own is most commonly issued automatically to veterans and former members of the North Syrian Coalition, North Syrian Army or retired police members among other government benefits. Veterans are required to show proof of their service, and a License to Own is automatically issued.

A License to Own also allows applicants to use and shoot their imitation weapons in their homes as well as in designated empty spaces in the public. They are also allowed to shoot their weapons at the household of another holder of this license, as long as they have permission.

Owners of this type of license are also allowed to sell, buy and trade their imitation weapons with other holders. Whereas holders of Type 1 and Type 2 Permits may only sell, buy and/or trade their weapons with a licensed dealer at the store.

North Syrian citizens can apply for a License to Own, and this license contains the most stringent application process therefore it is rarely issued to average citizens. Applicants must take training classes for both Type 1 and Type 2 imitation firearms. They must also swear on oath, on paper as well as to a police officer or member of the armed forces. Applicants must also have five family references, or close people in case five family members aren't available that the person is sane enough to operate a dangerous imitation firearm. The applicant is then interviewed by a member of the police, a soldier as well as a shooting range operator. Then a police officer is to interview with each of the applicant's references. There is then two-month waiting period. In that period, if the applicant commits a crime, the application will be automatically rejected and the applicant will have to wait 365 days until he can re-apply.

Rental Permits and Licenses
North Syrian citizens are allowed to rent imitation guns for sporting use via the acquiring of a Rental Permit (Arabic: تصريح الإيجار). These can be obtained either from a police station, or a sporting store that sells imitation sporting weapons.

A Rental Permit allows a person to rent an imitation firearm from any store, up to that store's closing. Holders of Rental Permits are not allowed to store the weapon in their homes. The person renting must return the imitation firearm or paintball gun to the store owner before it closes or they will be charged with illegal possession of an imitation weapon, and imprisoned. Applicants are required to record the location of the range of where they plan to fire their rented weapon.

There are two types of licenses, either a Temporary Rental Permit or a License to Rent. Temporary permits usually are valid for up to 48 hours. Licenses to rent do not expire.

The requirements to applying for a Rental Permit vary from the source. Usually, applicants are only required to show identification, as well as a minor background check. Rental licenses often required the same steps as a Type 1 Permit to Own, though the License to Rent is issued the same day and there is no waiting period.

Shooting competitions
Although North Syria has shooting competitions for Airsoft, BB, pellet gun and paintball owners it is highly discouraged. Also, team names are required by law to be simple (ex. Team A, Team B, Team 1, Team 2) and cannot bear any name of any meaning. King Abdul-Issam claims that it may encourage youth to establish militant groups.

Registration laws
All Airsoft guns, BB guns, pellet guns and paintball guns are required to be registered with the police. Although, this process often doesn't inflict anymore hassle since it is usually done upon purchase, as the seller is required by law to record the transaction, along with the exact type and model of firearm and forward it to the police. This covers the registration of the weapon. The exact model and manufacturer must be recorded. However, these registration laws are implemented for transactions done outside a store - between holders of a License to Own (who are the only ones legally allowed to buy, sell or trade weapons outside a store). These people would then have to re-register their weapons with the police due to the change of owners. Registration is free and there are no fees.

Storage and transportation laws
Any imitation firearm in the home must safely be stored and locked in a safe, vault or a locker. Ammunition must be stored separately. When in a vehicle, the weapon must be made inoperable, and the magazine and ammunition must be in a different compartment of a vehicle. All entrants into the shooting range are carded, and their weapons are checked. Visitors to a shooting range cannot load their weapon outside the shooting area. However, Type 1 and Type 2 weapons contain different transportation laws. Because Type 1 weapons all contain an orange tip as required by law, they can be transported visibly in a vehicle as long as the ammunition is separated, and the magazine is not inserted. If pulled over by the police, owners are required to show the police for inspection.

Because Type 2 weapons can resemble a real firearm in that many of them don't contain orange tips and/or are made of metal, they must be stored in an opaque container. The ammunition and magazine must be stored in a separate container from the gun. The gun itself must be concealed and out of sight (most people store in their car trunks) and made inaccessible until arrival at a shooting range.

Time Rules and Curfews for Shooting
Owners of imitation firearms or paintball guns are not allowed to shoot during times of Islamic prayer during the day since it "disturbs the peace". Fatwahs will be issued against owners who fail to comply with this ruling. All shooting ranges operated by Muslims are required to be non-operation during the daytime on the Islamic month of Ramadan.

There are also curfews for shooters. Holders of Licenses to Own are not allowed to operate their imitation firearms or paintball guns anytime after 10:00 PM; and most shops close around 9:30 PM.

Statistics
Out of a population of 11,331,311 people, there are approximately 1,000,222 legally licensed or permitted imitation firearms owners, and approximately 2,111,031 legally registered imitation firearms. Although despite the tendency of imitations firearms owners to be part of the middle or upper class - almost none of these belong to the royal classes. Abdul-Issam stated that he, and his family do not permit their loved ones to be influenced by a culture of violence.

Most of these imitation firearms owners are businessmen and/or their children.

Shooting rights organizations
Many imitation firearms owners state that they feel persecuted by not only North Syria's over-stringent laws over imitation firearms and paintball guns, but also to that of the social stigma attached to owners of imitation weapons and/or paintball guns.

The North Syrian Shooting Sports Association (NSSSA) is the main imitation firearms and paintball rights organization in the country. Its owner and founder, Badir Amal claims that North Syria's laws on imitation guns and paintball are too strict and malignant and will do nothing to curve terrorism. The NSSSA is a member of the International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights.

He stated, "Shooting has nothing to do with terrorism, just like being Muslim. The requirement to register air guns and paintball was kind of enough. Then the requirement to go through a background check and what would normally be required for an actual firearm was way across the line. But now, to say that all of us, innocent and law-abiding owners are part of a culture of violence is just unacceptable. We like to shoot paper targets and empty cans as a means of recreation, not people. So I don't see the correlation."

Jaafar Abdul-Halim, the owner of a airsoft store said, "It is one thing to pass laws on what we consider toys. They're not real, they can only kill somebody with beyond-maximum effort. Cars have killed more people than real guns, and certainly more than toy guns. But to classify us who enjoy sporting with air, airsoft or paintball as terrorists is another thing, and it is definitely unacceptable."

The Fireams and Projectiles Department
The Firearms and Projectiles Department, also known as the FPD is the branch of the NSHSDS that regulates and oversees all activities regarding firearms and imitation firearms from sales to transportation to even repairs or destruction of surrendered or confiscated firearms or imitation firearms.

The FDP tracks the history of all guns used by army and law enforcement, recording all users of a certain weapon and every incident in which that weapon was used.

The FDP often works hand in hand with the NSHDS's Center for Criminal Investigation (CCI) when dealing with incidents involving illegal guns used by terrorists or criminals.

Licenses and permits as well as records for imitation firearms owners are also handled by the FPD.

Sword and knife legislation
words and knives received the same type of confiscations and stringent laws as did guns. Section 4 of the Peaceful Citizens Act stated the regards to private ownership of blade-based weapons.

It reads, "Never shall a citizen of North Syria bear a long-blade that is capable of decapitating body parts. The peaceful citizen must not bear long swords, short swords or combat knives of any sort. Swords and combat knives are only to be the hands of the military, law enforcement members and those who are worthy and trained to own them."

Many Halal butchers felt persecuted by the law, and many Muslims filed fatwahs as Freedom of Speech included the Freedom to Sue as North Syria is an Islamic state.

King Abdul-Issam apologized and created a curve for the knife legislation, allowing swords to be used for butchering meat, Halal slaughter, as well as collecting. Like all other weapons, these swords had to be registered with the government and each owner had to swear an oath on paper that these swords would never be used to inflict pain, death or suffering on anybody else.

Abdul-Issam said, "I apologize, I don't mean to persecute all knife owners. Because we need knives, for cutting food, for butchering meat, for Halal slaughter and other such means. I shall indeed create a curve for butchering meat and repairing electronics."

Paradoxically, the North Syrian government adopted an "eye for an eye" doctrine. If any citizen of North Syria used a sword to decapitate or severe body parts out of anger or prejudice, that person will most likely face the death penalty by beheading as well.

As for all others, ballistic knives, switch-blade knives and pocket-knives are all illegal in North Syria. Pocket knives can only be owned by technicians and people working in occupations that involve repairing.

All of these curves were included in the Kingdom Section 4 Amendments Act, which was created as a response to the fatwahs.

Antiques and Replicas
There is only one exception to who can obtain firearms, and those are museum owners and operators. In this case, a License to Display is issued in which allows museum owners to acquire firearms only for display.

The firearm must have its trigger removed by a member of the police or the armed forces, the weapon rendered useless. Then it can be displayed for the public.

Syria
Bashar al-Assad of Syria responded by calling North Syria the "grassroots of tyranny", and responded by granted all Syrian citizens the rights to self defense, the right to bear arms. Bashar al-Assad had made it a constitutional right in Syria for citizens to carry weapons, and false interpretations of the law in an attempt to discourage citizens from owning a gun is considered a crime. Bashar al-Assad also offered refuge for those northern Syrians who resisted the ban, and held on to their weapons.

United States
The ban had received mixed reviews. Gun rights activists in the United States had viewed it very negatively, and claim that it was an attempt from the North Syrian government to persecute law-abiding non-Muslims by stripping them of their rights to bear arms. Gun control activists praised the ban, especially Barack Obama - who called it the "grassroots of peace".

United Kingdom
Like the United States, the United Kingdom also praised North Syria's gun ban. Queen Elizabeth II claimed that North Syria will emerge as the most "peaceful" Arab nation in a sea of warn-torn Arab nations and will serve as a perfect example for world peace. Piers Morgan, a popular gun control activist from the United Kingdom sent King Fahad Abdul-Issam bags of English tea as a result.

Japan
Shinzō Abe, Japan's prime minister viewed the gun ban as much-needed and a positive thing for the Arab nations. Abe said that he thanked King Fahad for following the Japanese example.

Russia
Russians viewed the gun ban very negatively. Vladimir Putin, Russia's president criticized the North Syrians of being hypocrites, and using the gun ban to implement an Islamic agenda while rendering their victims useless. Putin claimed that any country promoting a "culture of peace" was on their way to tyranny.

Canada
Canadians generally viewed the gun ban as unneeded and useless. Canadian prime minister Steven Harper, who in 2014 added a Right to Bear Arms as part of Canada's Charter of Freedoms and Rights criticized King Fahad for "back-stabbing" his country and opening North Syria to terrorists who will use illegally-owned guns to torture innocent people and carry out massacres.

Mexico
Despite the fact that Mexico's constitution (Article 10) contains a "right to bear arms", the Mexican government generally have seen the gun ban as a positive thing. Mexico's government recently confiscated toy guns from kids to promote a culture of peace.