." The town is in one of a half-dozen frontier regions which are considered "Federally Administered Tribal Areas," or "FATAs." FATAs are exempt from many of the laws passed by the Pakistani government. Instead, Darra is administered by the Frontier Crimes Regulations, which, in turn, gives individual tribes in each area the power and responsibility to govern its people, and with wide discretion. In practice, this means that the town of Darra is outside the purview of Pakistan proper -- and its people take advantage of this.Afghanistan and Pakistan are both economically depressed, with a per capita GDP of roughly $3,500 and $1,000 respectively. Yet both of these nations have many well-armed men, at least relative to the typical Westerner. With money tight, infrastructure rare, and even literacy often lacking, where do the guns come from?
The answer: a small town called Darra Adam Khel.
Located in Pakistan south of Peshawar and near the Afghan border, Darra Adam Khel (or simply Darra, for short) is, as the Washington Post described it in a headline, "like the Wild, Wild West -- plus Al-Qaeda
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query darra. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query darra. Sort by date Show all posts
Friday, May 11, 2012
Darra, The Pakistani Illegal Gun Market
This is an old story but well worth another look. Now I Know posted an article about this amazing place.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
How wankers with guns have screwed up the neighbourhood
In this case, we're talking the land once known as the Northwest Frontier (Pakistan and Afghanistan).
I'm going to start this travelogue in Peshawar. Peshawar is now officially recognized as being one of the Oldest Living Cities in Asia. Its history and culture has continued uninterrupted since several centuries. Loads of history sitting at the edge of the Khyber Pass.
Near Peshawar is Darra Adam Khel (درہ آدم خیل), which is what most people think of when you mention Peshawar. In particular:
The "gun rights" situation changed after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 where the new constitution included the right to keep and bear arms, similar to the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, but far more gun loon friendly! There are an estimated 18 million firearms in public ownership among the country's population of 180 million, of which 7 million are registered. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa permits the ownership of heavy weaponry including the use of rocket launchers, short-, medium-, and long-range rockets, anti-aircraft guns, mortars, etc. These heavy weapons may be made locally. Men usually own fully automatic firearms and Semi-automatic firearms whereas women usually own pistols.
I refer you to Wikipedia for more about this gunloon slice of heaven.
But head further up the Khyber and we come to Afghanistan which is another gun loon heaven. despite the Afghans being armed to the teeth, it hasn't stopped the Russians and NATO from invading with the usual results of a hot and heavy battle with the natives. If you seriously think about fighting a modern army, take a look at the cost to Afghanistan. Since Pashtuns cross the Pakistan-Afghan border, we can say this about their culture:
But, all those guns didn't stop the Taliban from taking over.
And talk about armed dickheads screwing things up, the Taliban decided to blow up the Buddhas of Bamiyan, these are two 6th century monumental statues of standing buddhas carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamyan valley in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The bottom line is that this is a part of the world which has loads of history and culture, but it isn't a place where anyone in their right mind would want to go.
Even if you were a total gun loon and wanted the ultimate holiday, this isn't a place you would want to visit:
See also:
I'm going to start this travelogue in Peshawar. Peshawar is now officially recognized as being one of the Oldest Living Cities in Asia. Its history and culture has continued uninterrupted since several centuries. Loads of history sitting at the edge of the Khyber Pass.
Near Peshawar is Darra Adam Khel (درہ آدم خیل), which is what most people think of when you mention Peshawar. In particular:
a wide variety of firearms are produced in the town, from anti-aircraft guns to pen-guns. Weapons are handmade by individual craftsmen using traditional manufacturing techniques, usually handed down father-to-son. The quality of the guns is generally high and craftsman are able to produce replicas of almost any gun. Guns are regularly tested by test-firing into the air.Guess what, The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to keep and bear arms!
The "gun rights" situation changed after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 where the new constitution included the right to keep and bear arms, similar to the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, but far more gun loon friendly! There are an estimated 18 million firearms in public ownership among the country's population of 180 million, of which 7 million are registered. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa permits the ownership of heavy weaponry including the use of rocket launchers, short-, medium-, and long-range rockets, anti-aircraft guns, mortars, etc. These heavy weapons may be made locally. Men usually own fully automatic firearms and Semi-automatic firearms whereas women usually own pistols.
I refer you to Wikipedia for more about this gunloon slice of heaven.
But head further up the Khyber and we come to Afghanistan which is another gun loon heaven. despite the Afghans being armed to the teeth, it hasn't stopped the Russians and NATO from invading with the usual results of a hot and heavy battle with the natives. If you seriously think about fighting a modern army, take a look at the cost to Afghanistan. Since Pashtuns cross the Pakistan-Afghan border, we can say this about their culture:
Other enduring customs and a strong culture of honor also promote the prevalence and importance of guns. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the Pashtun residents laud performances of strength and toughness, carrying a Kalashnikov or other gun is a sign of honour and respect.Sound like anybody you know?
But, all those guns didn't stop the Taliban from taking over.
And talk about armed dickheads screwing things up, the Taliban decided to blow up the Buddhas of Bamiyan, these are two 6th century monumental statues of standing buddhas carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamyan valley in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The bottom line is that this is a part of the world which has loads of history and culture, but it isn't a place where anyone in their right mind would want to go.
Even if you were a total gun loon and wanted the ultimate holiday, this isn't a place you would want to visit:
Foreigners were once allowed to visit the town if they had a permit, obtainable from the Home Office in Peshawar (permits are no longer issued due to 'security concerns', however it is possible to take the Peshawar-Kohat bus and get off at the town, which will usually also involve being sent back by the local tribal police called 'khasadars'). Some 'fixers' in Peshawar offer to arrange a visit for a considerable sum. In this case a bodyguard will accompany visitors whilst they are in the town, and it may be possible to test-fire weapons for a small fee.And that's only the beginning...
Technically visitors can buy guns, though they will usually be confiscated by guards - as the sellers inform them. Difficulties can only sometimes be avoided by judicious use of 'baksheesh' (bribes). As of early 2008 Darra Adam Khel has been the site of skirmishes between militants and the army, making visits by Westerners highly dangerous endeavors.
See also:
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Third-World Gun Bazaars vs. U.S. Gun Shows
I've been invited to guest blog here for the rest of the month.
And to thank my co-bloggers for the honor, I've decided to build upon Laci's recent post by creating a poster to summarize the issue a bit more, showing that our extreme gun culture in the U.S. isn't functionally much different from that of the "third-world" countries we are horrified of. Enjoy.
Other than the fact that these third-world gun markets are less tidy or well-lit and have a bit more dangerous weapons (like fully-auto machine guns -- though the gunloons here in the U.S. would love to have the ability), I don't see much difference between the gun market of Darra, Pakistan, for instance, and most gun shows here in the U.S. As with the Darra market, you can walk into most gun shows here in most states and buy as many gunz you want, right up to .50-caliber sniper rifles and semi-auto assault rifles, no background check needed (from private sellers).
And to thank my co-bloggers for the honor, I've decided to build upon Laci's recent post by creating a poster to summarize the issue a bit more, showing that our extreme gun culture in the U.S. isn't functionally much different from that of the "third-world" countries we are horrified of. Enjoy.
Other than the fact that these third-world gun markets are less tidy or well-lit and have a bit more dangerous weapons (like fully-auto machine guns -- though the gunloons here in the U.S. would love to have the ability), I don't see much difference between the gun market of Darra, Pakistan, for instance, and most gun shows here in the U.S. As with the Darra market, you can walk into most gun shows here in most states and buy as many gunz you want, right up to .50-caliber sniper rifles and semi-auto assault rifles, no background check needed (from private sellers).
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
The US is falling behind in the Gun Rights Category
This is bad. Gun Loving Pakistan is showing that they value freedom, especially gun rights, far more than the US.
Pakistan's gun culture has been mentioned before--and they love their guns as much, if not more, than people in the US. Pakistan even has an equivalent of the Second Amendment as gun loons envision it in their Constitution!
Well, they weren't gonna be outdone in the mass shooting department by the US of A.
No way.
The Pakistanis, especially the Taliban, had to show that they were freedom loving people like their US counterparts with a massive school shooting.
At least 126 people, most of them children, have been killed in a Taliban assault on an army-run
school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
Peshawar--sound familiar? Yeah, it's the home of the Darra Gun Bazaar! It's Pakistani Gun Loon Central!
Let's toss in that the School was run by the Army.
I don't give a shit what you clowns think, but there were probably more "good guys with guns" on the spot than you could count.
I also doubt there will be much of a movement to try and ban guns in this part of the world as well.
But, this definitely changes the dialogue.
The Taliban know the real meaning of FREEDOM!
Live with it!
See also:
 |
| The similarity might not be intentional, but its far too obvious. |
Pakistan's gun culture has been mentioned before--and they love their guns as much, if not more, than people in the US. Pakistan even has an equivalent of the Second Amendment as gun loons envision it in their Constitution!
Well, they weren't gonna be outdone in the mass shooting department by the US of A.
No way.
The Pakistanis, especially the Taliban, had to show that they were freedom loving people like their US counterparts with a massive school shooting.
At least 126 people, most of them children, have been killed in a Taliban assault on an army-run
 |
| Hali Ph'shar (ALEX BOWIE / GETTY) |
Peshawar--sound familiar? Yeah, it's the home of the Darra Gun Bazaar! It's Pakistani Gun Loon Central!
Let's toss in that the School was run by the Army.
I don't give a shit what you clowns think, but there were probably more "good guys with guns" on the spot than you could count.
I also doubt there will be much of a movement to try and ban guns in this part of the world as well.
But, this definitely changes the dialogue.
The Taliban know the real meaning of FREEDOM!
See also:
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)