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In a statement Prince Nayef said, “In principle, a citizen has the right to carry a licensed weapon, and so does the resident. If he senses danger, he can carry a personal weapon as he does in his country.”
The prince’s statement comes on the back of recent violent and fatal terrorist attacks, assassinations, kidnappings and murder of Western workers in Saudi Arabia. It also comes at a time of intense pressure from foreign governments and companies asking for the easing of local rules which previously barred private security guards and foreigners from bearing arms.
Under the previous law, only Saudi citizens can carry guns but even they must apply for a permit. Currently, there are around 8.8 million foreigners working in the kingdom.
