Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says Nigerians have the right to carry firearms.
Recall that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, had recently suggested that there would be anarchy if Nigerians were allowed to carry firearms.
However, Falana disagreed. In an interview during a television programme yesterday, the rights advocate said, In the first place, it is not correct to say Nigerians have no right to bear arms. Apart from the fact that the penal code applicable to the North and the criminal code applicable to the South recognises the right to self-defense”.
We have to discuss the rights, and proceed to examine the propriety. In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot, Falana explained.
While clarifying whether or not the law allows one to bear guns, he emphasised that one needs to first apply for a licence, pointing out the demands of the constitution regarding self-defence.
I am just saying the right to self-defence which is also guaranteed by the constitution. All I am not allowed to do is not use a force that is not proportional to the threat. In other words, If you are going to hit me with a cane, I must not go for a gun, which is not proportional, Falana added.
