DOHA The Persian Gulf Arab state of Qatar is introducing a law making possession of firearms without a licence punishable by a jail sentence of up to 14 years, an official said on Tuesday. Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani issued a decree on Monday prohibiting the possession of and trade in firearms, ammunitions and explosives without a licence after October 26. People who buy guns without a licence can be sentenced to between seven and 14 years in jail under the new law.

(Reuter)