Turkey’s Interior Ministry issues circular to prevent gun use in weddings
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has issued a circular asking the governors of 81 provinces to take all the necessary measures to prevent gun use at wedding and engagement ceremonies.
“Firing guns into the air during such ceremonies cause ‘sad events’ which unsettle the public and lead people to question public order,” the minister said in the circular.
Soylu asked governors across the country to prevent the use of guns at social occasions such as weddings, festivities, and sports events in order to protect the safety of people and prevent crimes.
According to the circular sent to the governors, the authorities will seek assurances from the relevant parties that host and organize weddings that no guns will be used and no one will fire guns into the air.
Local neighborhood heads -muhtars- will be charged with the task of notifying law enforcements in the event of gun use in wedding ceremonies.
If law enforcement officers, who are invited to such organizations as guests, fail to intervene or inform authorities in the event of gun use, they will be subjected to a probe.
Also, disciplinary actions will be taken against civil servants who fire guns into the air at such organizations.
In order to raise awareness among the public regarding the risks of using and firing guns, banners which read “Do not fire at happiness. Do not darken the future” will be posted during open-air events at spots which attendees can easily notice.
Firing guns into the air is a common occurrence during celebrations in Turkey and has claimed the lives of many, including children.
