The Mayor of the southern Armenian town of Kapan, Gevorg Parsyan, has proposed to allow residents of border villages in the province of Syunik to carry hunting rifles, given security challenges amid the border demarcation process, Sputnik Armenia reports.

Parsyan took the initiative to parliament on Friday, December 25, suggesting lawmakers to draft a bill to arm the men in villages, which will boost confidence among the locals.

"Let's think about how to arm the residents of our border settlements so that every man has a weapon at home," he said.

Parsyan noted that this is a necessary security measure after a number of villages in Syunik came to border Azerbaijan.

A process of demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan is underway in Syunik, The activity has caused extreme discontent among local residents who fear for their safety.