The easy access to firearms through black markets is contributing to a surge in violent crimes in Mon State, local residents say. With the rule of law severely weakened since the military coup, many citizens now fear for their safety amid growing criminal activity involving armed individuals.
Since the military coup, a growing number of firearms, available at relatively affordable prices, have flooded the black market. Not only members of pro-junta forces, local administrators, and People’s Militia are arming themselves, but ordinary civilians and businesspeople are also increasingly purchasing weapons for personal use.
“The security situation is deteriorating rapidly. You can get a gun for around 4 million kyats, and bullets are sold for about 10,000 kyats each. Local officials, junta-linked groups, and militia members all carry guns. This country is no longer under control,” said a source close to an armed group.
The source emphasized that many recent crimes are not driven by poverty, but rather by armed individuals asserting power or settling disputes. The proliferation of weapons has heightened public fear, especially in urban areas.
On July 11, an unidentified gunman shot the owner of a gold shop at Shwe Hintha Market in Mudon township and stole gold items from the store. Authorities have yet to apprehend any suspects. Residents also report increasing armed robberies of motorcycles and valuables, particularly along the Mawlamyine–Mudon highway during quiet hours.
Legal experts say the junta’s local administrators are focused solely on protecting their own personnel and police stations, with little concern for broader public safety or service. “Administrators are supposed to know who owns what and who does what, but now people go missing, and no one investigates,” said a lawyer in Mon State. “Businesses have resumed, but there’s no safety. Everyone’s living in fear, and no one can guarantee security anymore. The law has collapsed.”
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has led to the rise of hundreds of resistance groups, increasing demand for firearms and inflating gun prices dramatically. In Mon State, many buyers reportedly rely on the cross-border black market in the Three Pagodas Pass area to obtain weapons.
Locals and experts alike are warning the public to stay vigilant, as the absence of rule of law and the militarization of society deepen insecurity across Mon State.
