Arms policy promulgated over 10 years ago prohibited even the most responsible arms license-holders to carry their arms, not even in self-defence, as is foreseen for instance by the US Second Amendment. Now even the private armed guards are free to move on public roads. The arms import policy denies the license-holders any access to quality non-prohibited bores or new kind of ammunition to replace the old, unreliable ammunition. Interestingly, the arms licenses are heavily taxed and are a source of revenue too, even if it might seem to some to be taxing even the noble act of self-defence. The net outcome of these unrealistic policies on arms is a safer environment for the outlaws that are often armed with sophisticated prohibited bore arms without paying the import and license taxes. They roam freely and hit target of their choice with impunity. No wonder, the outlaws successfully targeted a federal minister and three brigadiers in the highly fortified and policed Islamabad and escaped in broad daylight while the citizens stood as helpless spectators. These daylight attacks have proved the much publicized highly costly security measures including expensive imported cameras (useful for TV footage) in Islamabad are ineffective without support of the law-abiding citizens that have arms on the ready. Furthermore, it has generated rumours suspecting involvement of some government or foreign agency with ulterior motives. I, therefore, appeal to the concerned authorities to kindly rationalize the arms policies including import and license fees and devise a security plan, in consultation with the public, to induct reliable arms license-holders of each locality to assist the security personnel. -MALIK FATEH KHAN, Talagang, November 18.