Panamanians Seek Security in Firearms
Firearms are in vogue in Panama due to mounting insecurity and the crime wave sweeping the country.

The Judiciary Police approved 506 gun licenses of 600 requests filed from January to February, but Panama America daily calculates in 75,000 the guns in the streets.

The government claims a drive to fight the scourge with large volumes of illegal drugs seized and numerous gang member arrested.

The opposition blames President Martin Torrijos of failing to honour election promises to fight crime and Housing Minister Balbina Herrera called Panamanians prisoners of drug traffickers.

A recent poll by the German firm GFK says 78 percent Panamanians say violence grew in 2006 and will further spread, 19 percent says it is stagnant and barely two percent see a decline.