6
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1986
THEY KNOW TO USE THE MINIMUM FORCE TO COMBAT CRIMES, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, AND TO THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF OPENING FIRE IN CROWDED PLACES.''
AS FOR THE SUCCESS RATE OF WATCHMEN AT HIS RANGE, SGT CHAN SAID THIS WAS CURRENTLY AROUND 70 PER CENT IN THE THEORY-HANDLING TESTS AND 60 PER CENT IN THE PRACTICAL TESTS.
AT PRESENT, AMONG THE 55 994 WATCHMEN REGISTERED WITH THE POLICE, A TOTAL OF 2 106 HAVE A LICENCE TO BE ARMED. THEY WORK AT FANKS, IN SECURITY COMPANIES AND IN HIGH-RISK PREMISES SUCH AS JEWELLERY, WATCH AND GOLD SHOPS,
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN MOST CASES, ARMED WATCHMEN ARE ALLOWED TO CARRY SHOTGUNS BECAUSE THE WEAPON IS RELATIVELY LESS POWERFUL THAN A RIFLE, WHEREAS REVOLVERS ARE CONSIDERED UNNECESSARY.
ALSO, SHOTGUNS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND THIS COULD HAVE A DETERRENI EFFECT ON ́ WOULD-BE CRIMINALS.
THE POLICE HAVE, TO DATE, ISSUED 2 946 ARMS AND AMMUNITION LICENCES, THE MAJORITY (949) ARE FOR SHOTGUNS, WHILE THE OTHERS ARE FOR A VARIETY OF GUNS INCLUDING SPORTING RIFLES, TARGET RIFLES, AIR PISTOLS, HARPOON GUNS AND STARTING GUNS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE ALSO RULES GOVERNING THE SAFEKEEPING OF FIREARMS AND THE POLICE CARRY OUT REGULAR CHECKS ON THE SECURITY OF ARMS STORAGE ARRANGEMENTS, AS WELL AS ON THE WEAPONS THEMSELVES.
TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE FOR POSSESSION (WATCHMAN), AN APPLICANT MUST BE ABLE TO MEET THE PRE-REQUISITES FOR BECOMING A REGISTERED WATCHMAN. HE MUST BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 65, WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORD, HAVE AT LEAST TWO YEARS' RESIDENCY IN HONG KONG AND BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION WITH NORMAL EYESIGHT,
HE SHOULD APPLY ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF HIS EMPLOYER WHO MUST POSSESS AN ARMS AND AMMUNITION LICENCE AND WHOSE REQUEST FOR ARMED WATCHMEN IS CONSIDERED JUSTIFIED BY THE POLICE.
BEFORE ATTENDING THE TEST, THE WATCHMAN SHOULD HAVE UNDERGONE INTENSIVE SHOOTING TRAINING UNDER THE COACHING OF AN INSTRUCTOR HIRED BY THE EMPLOYER.
SO, NEXT TIME YOU SEE AN ARMED SECURITY GUARD IN THE STREET, REST ASSURED. HE HAS EARNED THE RIGHT.
17