Campaign in Crete to lay down arms
Without doubt, the largest number of the country’s illegal weapons are on the island of Crete, whose people have mourned many intended or accidental victims of the island’s favorite «sport.» Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis is attempting to deal with the situation via an initiative that will attempt to persuade locals that illegal ownership of weapons and the practice of firing guns at celebrations is not a sign of manhood but, rather, a blot on the island’s image. A committee of prominent Cretans, headed by world-famous composer Mikis Theodorakis, has been set up to raise awareness of the issue. They have met with local groups and sought the help of the Church and local teachers. Last month the Municipality of Anogeia, in the mountains of Crete, signed a proclamation against gun use, observing that the custom could no longer be accorded legitimacy. They said it was no longer acceptable to maintain a custom whereby people were killed or injured as a result of the shooting of guns at otherwise joyous occasions such as weddings.
