|
Friday, January 28, 2005
Byron wants jail guards armed with airsoft guns
By Minerva B. Gerodias
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Capitol consultant on security Byron Garcia, who is on leave, will propose to the governor to arm provincial jail guards with airsoft guns and rubber bullets for shotguns to control unruly inmates.
Using these guns will enable jail guards to easily control inmates who will cause trouble in the jail without the risk of seriously harming or killing them.
US jails
Byron is on leave because of an investigation on his alleged harassment of a court sheriff and defiance of a court order. Despite this, he still wants to share new ideas to improve the management of the provincial jail.
He said using air soft guns is being practiced in some jails for minors in the United States.
Byron said he had proven this effective during the series of operations in the old Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
He was once criticized for allegedly bringing a baby Armalite during an operation in the old jail, but he clarified it was just an airsoft gun, which uses pellets for bullets.
Byron, a brother of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, said that during the sit down strike and the transfer of inmates to the new jail in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City last Dec. 28, he used rubber bullets to disperse stubborn inmates.
Less lethal
“Airsoft guns are a less lethal weapon but are equally effective. They have stinging effect that will modify the behavior of the inmates. Since we also have shotguns, I will suggest the purchase of rubber bullets for 12-gauge shotguns. These are soft rubber that can be fired at close range and the chances of penetration are very slim,” he said.
His lawyer Lito Astillero said Byron will first submit the proposal to the legal division of the Provincial Government to check on its legality.
Byron said that if the governor agrees to buy airsoft guns, CPDRC will need some 10 guns at P10,000 to P12,000 each, while rubber bullets costs some $25 for a box of five.
“We can control them without using the real guns. Way mamatay (No one will die),” Byron said of troublesome inmates.
(January 28, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
