Umut Foundation publishes scientific researches for 17 years, to draw attention on individual armament in Turkey where 3000 people die with firearms and fights for changing the social mentality where the "gun" which only function is to kill covers a significant place in the society, to the essential of the superiority of "peace" and "justice" principles.

As in Turkey the individual armament continue to be a serious problem, one of the significant reasons of this, are the traditions and cultural qualities which glorify the gun. As the gun never provides the security, it can not be an indicator of glory, reputation and degree. It should never be preferred as a gift. Because we should look at the meaning of the gift. Being a gun owner is also embarrassing in terms of having the potential of “violate the right to live”. Therefore to present an object which is a dishonor and source of disaster and to thank with this object can not be acceptable. It does not have a place in any culture. If you our dear governor accept this weapon which only purpose is to kill as a gift, we the citizens might consider that a gun is an object which can be served, presented as gift. And the responsibility for this has to be taken by the people who present weapons as gift and the prominent social actors, leaders of the society. 

To choose gun between the various ways of presenting and accepting gift, does not mean anything other than symbolically glorifying the violence. Instead of this “violence symbol” gift which is considered not contrary to the tradition, why not think to present something else which can also symbolize prestige?

For these reasons, we disapprove that after principally accepting the gift, to return it one year later after the objection of the Public Officers Ethic Committee. Instead we think that, our Dear governor who is the certifying authority in obtaining licenses for guns, should not accept the gift, and should make a declaration about his reasons for not accepting this gift and should fulfill his duties to correct this inconvenient and dangerous application and to be a good example for the society. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Nazire DEDEMAN

Founder President of Umut Foundation

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According to the written declaration made by the Isparta Governorship, The Governor Öner, applied to the Public Officers Ethics Committee, about accepting or not accepting the golden inlaid gun which was presented to him in 28th June 2009 during the Anamas Hay Meadow Summer Range Feast. After the Public Officers Ethics Committee presented his opinion as the acceptance of the gun will be inappropriate The Governor Öner returned the gun to the Culture and Solidarity Association of Yuruks of Karakoyunlu.

In his declaration, Hüseyin Iþýk, president of the Culture and Solidarity Association of Yuruks of Serik Karakoyunlu situated that “According to our traditions, we wanted to present the gun to our Governor”. But he decided to apply to the Ethics Committee. When the Ethics Committee did not find this kind of gift appropriate, Our Governor returned the gift”.