Gun control in Egypt

Or why it's needed...

Bodyguard accidentally kills senator

AN Egyptian wedding feast turned to tragedy when the bodyguard of one of the guests accidentally killed him with a celebratory burst of gunfire and then committed suicide.

Mohammed Abu Okail, a member of Egypt's Consultative Council, or senate, was gunned down in the village of Abis, 190km north of Cairo, police said.

When the party was in full swing, bodyguard Ali Suleiman began to let off a traditional volley of gunfire, killing Mr Abu Okail in the process.

On realising what he had done, he let out a hysterical cry of grief and shot himself in the head.

Celebratory gunfire is common throughout the Arab world, and dozens of people are killed in Egypt every year by stray bullets.