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Saudi says foreigners can carry guns
Reuters ^ | 6-24-04

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.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; saudiarabia
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To: spodefly
"Yes, in the U.S. everyone has one of these for home defense."

One? Only one?

Wuss.

21 posted on 06/24/2004 11:20:08 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: cripplecreek
AHnold did so with a similar weapon in Predator!

I'm cool with this as long as I can carry five or so spare mags and ammo rolled in bacon fat.

22 posted on 06/24/2004 12:12:54 PM PDT by ExSoldier (.45 Auto: The Original "Point and Click" interface!)
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To: SJackson
Great. Now the Saudis recognize the RKBA of Americans more than the American government does.
23 posted on 06/24/2004 1:22:22 PM PDT by Mulder (Those who would give up liberty for temporary security, deserve neither -- Ben Franklin)
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To: SJackson

The only thing I would feel safe carrying in Saudi Arabia!

24 posted on 06/24/2004 1:24:12 PM PDT by lormand (Save the Whales? Call a Democrat! Save the World? Call the Republicans)
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Comment #25 Removed by Moderator

To: SJackson
Now for the "funny" part. You can't buy guns there legally. But if I wanted one, I could have had it in 10 minutes, for around $500. Ammo was almost as expensive. Shows what absolute guns laws do.
26 posted on 06/24/2004 2:11:42 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult ("Read Hillary's hips. I never had sex with that woman.")
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To: coloradan
"That's more freedom than is allowed here. Residents in most states who are US citizens have that privilege (residents in only two states, VT and AK, have the right)"

All Alabama citizens may carry, at any time, a firearm in plain sight. So that's at least 3 states to your above quote!

27 posted on 06/24/2004 2:15:48 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: SJackson
At the risk of being called names, shouldn't that headline read:

"Saudi says foreigners can may carry guns"?

28 posted on 06/24/2004 2:20:02 PM PDT by Publius6961 (I don't do diplomacy either.)
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To: Southack

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.


29 posted on 06/24/2004 8:43:43 PM PDT by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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To: SJackson
Necessary and predictable (is Prince Nayef reading FR?):

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.

30 posted on 06/25/2004 8:43:00 AM PDT by angkor
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