Kaohsiung City Councilor Kao Chung-te brought an unloaded hunting rifle into the council chamber to protest legal gray areas impacting Indigenous hunters.
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A police officer carefully brings a black carrying case into the chamber and hands it to a councilor. Once the case was opened, a hunting rifle nearly half the length of an adult person was revealed.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Kao Chung-te (高忠德) brought the hunting rifle into the council chamber, marking a first in the council’s history. A member of the Indigenous Bunun tribe, Kao used the rifle as a prop to protest legal ambiguities that have led to the prosecution of Indigenous hunters.
He emphasized the cultural importance of hunting to Indigenous people and urged clearer firearm regulations and stronger safety measures. Kao said 31 Indigenous people have died due to unsafe hunting practices.
While Kao’s bold move may have raised eyebrows, it’s clear, however, that he’s not afraid to hunt for Indigenous rights and safer firearm policies.