Weapons Training Crucial for Rangers

Despite having the authority to carry and use weapons in case of emergency, park rangers normally find themselves in prison for using their weapons to defend protected areas—and themselves—against armed poachers.

This has raised the question as to why park rangers are armed in the first place if they can be charged with murder following gunfights with criminals.

Naqi Mirza-Karimi, commander of the protection unit at Tehran Province's Department of Environment, believes insufficient training and rangers' lack of knowledge about when and how to use their weapons play a part in their predicament, Mehr News Agency reported.

"A park ranger must receive proper education to be able to assess a situation quickly and react smartly, including how to use his gun without breaking the law," he said on the sidelines of a training course for the province's park rangers.

According to Mirza-Karimi, rangers need more training than any other members of the armed forces, as they often face offenders in isolated places where there are no witnesses and it is difficult to provide medical aid.

The official stressed that the environment must be protected without endangering lives.

"I believe it is right to say that no man should get killed or injured for the sake of wildlife," he said.

Mirza-Karimi hoped that one day there will be no need to use guns for the conservation of nature, "which is actually a public duty based on Iran's Constitution".

Park rangers of Tehran Province took part in a training course conducted by the DOE on October 24-25 on how to use guns and other equipment, while they were familiarized with relevant laws.

After attending theoretical sessions and participating in practical training in shooting ranges, the participants were given tests on each subject and received certificates upon earning the passing grade.