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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Interior Salamah Hammad on Sunday said that there are more than 10 million firearms in Jordanians' possession which requires a robust regulatory framework. The minister's remarks come at a time when a proposed gun control draft bill continues to drive public debate.

During a meeting of the Lower House of Parliament's Legal Committee, the minister said the draft is designed to regulate firearms possession and licensing and pushes towards preventing the proliferation of unlicensed guns.

Chairman of the Committee, MP Abdulminem Oudat, said the panel will address any loopholes in the "weapons and ammunition draft law" to arrive at a legislation that enjoys "a high degree of accord".

The lawmaker said the committee will draw up a counter-firearm strategy that takes into account local perception of gun possession and bearing. While acknowledging the need to have a greater control over firearms possession, Oudat said the gap in views over the "withdrawal of guns remains wide".

He assured that the draft bill is not and should not be intended to "strip people of their right to possess and bear firearms" but is designed to control the whole process in a manner consistent with the rule of law and society security.