I refer to JD Lovrenciear's letter on arms training in national service camps. While I am concerned over possible misuse of this weaponry knowledge , I do not feel it would be right just yet to dismiss the project without completely considering its pros and cons. (It's probably logical to admit at this point that I am a teenager, so I may have rather biased viewpoint.)

National service was originally created with national unity in mind. However, it is called national service for a reason. I cannot see how teaching youth to responsibly use firearms is not serving the country. We already have the marching, the fatigues, the survival training - why can't we take it one step further and use firearms?

The only logical reason to oppose this step would be the danger of an irresponsible youth misusing his/her weapon, which would be rather difficult, as the weapons are not stored at the camps (at least, so says the New Straits Times). That these youths may suddenly go on a shooting rampage when they return to civilian life is unlikely, given the scarcity of firearms in Malaysia.

This con is easily outweighed by the pros of firearm training, we often lament the irresponsible behaviour of youths today. Likewise, many teenagers complain about their parents being overprotective. What better opportunity for youths to prove themselves worthwhile of their heavy responsibility of leading the country into the future, than for them to prove they can handle firearms in a capable and responsible manner?

I always like to compare discipline to physics, for each and every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you over-regulate a person, that person tends to fight back. Likewise, when you give youths responsibility, they will reciprocate that trust and try to prove themselves worthy of it. If we trust our youths, they will trust us.

Of course, those who prove themselves unworthy of the power vested in them should not be allowed to have such power; misuse of the weapons should be punished severely. This should impress on the trainees the significance of the responsibility given to them.

Last but not least, there is one other very good reason to train our youths in the use of firearms. Think about the close-knit brotherhood most soldiers, particularly from the same unit, seem to share. Why do they bond so well? Because they've depended on one another for their lives.

In a combat situation, you don't have the time to think about whether to trust the information from your comrade or ignore him because he's an Indian/Chinese/Malay. You just act, because all of you know that either you live together, or you will all die together.

Likewise, there's no better way for a Chinese boy to bond with a Malay compatriot than to place them next to each other at a firing range. Both are placing their lives in the hands of the other person. There's a good explanation for why the military experience bonds men together extremely well: either you live and work together, or you die together.