Armed Iraqis Way of Security Plan

summarized article by Ernesto Londoño and Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Staff Writers

Iraqis, used to carrying pistols and other weaponry on the streets of Baghdad since the invasion, will now face strict policies forbidding them in public places. The new rule comes as a result of a new security plan that is slowly being implemented as part of a massive effort to curtail raging violence in the country. Many Iraqi's, including the shop owner featured in this article, feel that carrying a pistol is neccesity for protection in everyday life inside the limits of Baghdad. "We don't like guns, but we have to have them. I think every house should have a gun," said one civilian. The new plan is expected to be bolstered by the 21,500 troops arriving from the US from now until May. Efforts are currently underway for this movement, nicknamed "Operation Law & Order", to increase checkpoints in Baghdad and solidfy the Iraqi border. A major US general was quoted as saying that this entire process of getting the Iraqi army to an efficient state will likely take more than 2 years. I can definitely see both sides to this story, because personal security in Baghdad and Iraq is at a very low point and the desire to protect yourself would be overwhelming. The right to possess weapons is a natural right in America, but there are obvious regulations as to how you can carry a gun in public. If this move proves to be successful and limits violence, then yes take the guns away, but if personal attacks and bombings keep increasing then personal security will not only be granted but will be taken into the hands of civilians. Hindsight is 20/20, however.