Posted on 06/24/2004 7:35:15 AM PDT by SJackson
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will allow foreigners who feel threatened by the wave of militant violence in the kingdom to carry guns for their protection, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz says.
"In principle a Saudi has the right to carry a weapon, if he has a permit. Likewise a foreign resident, if he felt in danger he could get a permit to carry a weapon," Nayef was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.
"I mean a personal weapon which a person can have in his own country," the prince said.
Al Qaeda supporters have waged a year-long campaign of violence targeting Westerners, government sites and oil workers in the kingdom, prompting some foreigners to flee the country which is the world's biggest oil exporter.
In one of the bloodiest attacks, militants masquerading as security men killed 22 civilians in a May shooting and hostage-taking spree in the oil city of Khobar.
On Friday, security forces shot dead al Qaeda's leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz al-Muqrin, hours after the beheading of U.S. hostage Paul Johnson.
But militants promised to continue their jihad (holy struggle) to drive foreigners from the birthplace of Islam and topple its royal rulers.
Saudi Arabia announced a limited one-month amnesty on Wednesday for the militants. Saudi sources said it was aimed at mid-ranking and junior al Qaeda supporters, not leaders with blood on their hands.
One? Only one?
Wuss.
I'm cool with this as long as I can carry five or so spare mags and ammo rolled in bacon fat.

The only thing I would feel safe carrying in Saudi Arabia!
All Alabama citizens may carry, at any time, a firearm in plain sight. So that's at least 3 states to your above quote!
"Saudi says foreigners can may carry guns"?
You're right, actually many states allow open carry - at least technically. In most of them, I'd bet, you'd be hassled in a New York minute if a cop or a gun grabber saw you doing it. But not so if it were concealed, hence my comment. Open carry is technically legal in CO - ask Rick Stanley how well that works, though.
Al-Qaeda ups ante by threatening to kill US hostage, Riyadh rules out deal
Posted by angkor to taxed2death
On News/Activism 06/16/2004 9:03:20 AM EDT #11 of 42
On the other hand, I hope this will inspire a tighter degree of armed, trustable security for the expat workers, as well as a Saudi decree that expats may take whatever measures are needed to enhance their personal security (e.g., personal firearms). I've read that some expats are now packing illegally, which probably is better than not packing at all. But they should at least be able to have firearms in the compounds. Necessary and predictable (is al Nayef :
Al-Qaeda ups ante by threatening to kill US hostage, Riyadh rules out deal
Posted by angkor to taxed2death
On News/Activism 06/16/2004 9:03:20 AM EDT #11 of 42
On the other hand, I hope this will inspire a tighter degree of armed, trustable security for the expat workers, as well as a Saudi decree that expats may take whatever measures are needed to enhance their personal security (e.g., personal firearms). I've read that some expats are now packing illegally, which probably is better than not packing at all. But they should at least be able to have firearms in the compounds. I suppose the danger pay premium will also be escalating in coming weeks/months.
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