Interview with Yves ROUMAJON (psychiatrist, court expert) who explains the phenomenon of citizens' self-defense in the face of the rise of violence. According to him, violence is amplified by the mass media and increases fear. "An individual who is armed and who is afraid is necessarily dangerous," he stresses.
On the proposal of the Ministries of the Interior and Defence, a decree published on 20 February in the Official Journal tightens the rules on arms. The possession of shot weapons will now have to be subject to a prefectural authorization, which is not the taste of gunsmiths. Member of Parliament Pierre Lellouche, who initiated this request, would like to add tear gas. According to Yves GOLLETY, gunsmith, this is a false problem: "the malfrats will always find something to equip". Pierre Lellouche, MP for Val d'Oise, explains his approach by trying to remove an element of insecurity that contributes massively to the increase of daily violence.
In Douvres-la-Délivrande, in Calvados, faced with a climate of insecurity, the inhabitants do not hesitate to arm themselves. At the café, one of them explains that he had the headlights of his car stolen right in front of his window and that he would not have hesitated to "put two shots to him" if he had been present. He admits to having three guns.
In the face of growing insecurity in cities and villages, the French do not hesitate to arm themselves. A gunsmith from Asnières explains the profile of buyers who enter his store.
In Hodenc-en-Bray, a small town in the Oise region, burglaries have increased. The mayor, Marc JANNE, became fatalist in the face of the capacities of the police forces. "They are not effective because they do not have the means and the territory is too large," he stresses. In their house, some villagers start playing sheriff. One of them presents the pistol that he keeps permanently at hand and says he wants to use it against anyone who enters his property without his authorization.
Faced with urban violence in the suburbs of Lyon, the inhabitants do not hesitate to arm themselves. An armory salesman explains the effects of a tear gas canister. A second says that sales of . 22 long rifle have risen sharply. In Villeurbanne, in the Saint Jean district, several residents formed a self-defense committee. One of them testifies with his face hidden and proclaims that he will be ready to shoot if he feels threatened.
20,000 handguns are sold in France every year. Requests for detention are pouring into police stations. Apart from traders, many French are tempted to defend themselves. Meeting with one of them, picking out a weapon from a gun store. "In principle I do not want to kill, but I defend myself," he stresses.
The INA Galaxy 
