Feb 17 • 18:55 UTC 🇪🇪 Estonia Postimees

FULL HOUR ⟩ Relatives of the victims of the Lihula shooting on the new arms law: how peacefully do you sleep when your unstable neighbor has a gun?

Relatives of the victims of the deadly shooting in Lihula express concerns about the new arms law in Estonia, which may increase the risk of unstable individuals obtaining firearms.

After the tragic shooting incident in Pärnumaa that resulted in two fatalities in 2020, Estonia revised its gun laws to become stricter. However, recent discussions indicate a shift towards arming more citizens for self-defense in light of evolving security conditions. Relatives of the Lihula shooting victims raised serious concerns about the potential consequences of this shift during a segment on Kanal 2's "Täistunni" program.

In the program, the family members express their anxiety regarding the implications of increased firearm accessibility, particularly in the hands of unstable individuals. They question the safety of their community and the stability of their neighbors, emphasizing their fears about personal security in a society where more people may be authorized to carry weapons. This sentiment highlights a significant societal debate in Estonia about balancing self-defense rights with the management of public safety risks.

The emotional weight of the discussion is depicted in the poignant scene of relatives visiting the grave of one victim, Ülle, whose death on June 6, 2020, remains a painful reminder of the incident. Siret Kesküla reflects on her father’s wish for a candle to always burn on the grave, symbolizing a perpetual grief intertwined with concerns over the evolving gun laws and their repercussions for community safety.

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