Dominican Republic leader ‘man of peace’ accepts guns

Santo Domingo.- President Danilo Medina on Monday again revealed his ambivalence and reluctance to make unpopular decisions, when he accepted a rifle and a pistol from Dominican Republic’s military and the National Police, despite professing that “I’m a man of peace.

The Head of State accepted the mementoes despite mounting opposition to a spreading culture of weapons possession and the high number of gun-related crimes.

Medina headed the inaugural of a clinic at Defense Ministry headquarters, accompanied by Defense minister Sigfrido Pared and the heads of the Navy, Amy and Air Force, and the National Police chief.

Pared gave Medina a Cristobal carbine, the only machine-gun ever made in the country, and a 44magnum revolver, which the President accepted."I accept them, but first and foremost, I’m a man of peace."