Police firearm laws better to fight crime
MY sympathies go out to the families and friends of the sports personalities who recently lost their lives under different circumstances. One dies in the boxing ring, another in a car accident and the third is shot and killed by intruders, probably using an illegal firearm, during a supposed robbery.
In the first two instances there were no mutterings of banning boxing or the implementation of stricter rules of the road. In the case of the soccer player, the immediate reaction was "stricter firearm legislation needed", ban firearms and similar rhetoric, not only from the anti-gun lobbyists but also from the erstwhile ministers of police, and sport and recreation.
I was dismayed to listen to the utterings of the minister of police! He should be well aware of the process which a South African citizen has to adhere to before he/she is issued with a legal firearm licence by his department!
In a nutshell, before one is granted a firearm licence, one has to do the following: apply to your local SAPS station for the information required to own a firearm legally. The first step is then to pass a competency test or exam which has to be done through a state-approved training centre, at your cost.
You have to be over the age of 18 to comply. This training covers legal aspects, storage, safe handling and ability to use the firearm for which you are applying.
The results of your training and competency certificate, together with several testimonials from prominent persons in your community, are then submitted to your local SAPS. Furthermore, the SAPS do a full investigation into your background.
All this information is then forwarded to SAPS head office for careful perusal and approval, and only once this is obtained are you issued with an official competency card. Then you may apply for a licence to own a firearm lawfully.
Your initial application must be fully motivated as to the reasons why you require the firearm. If your licence is granted, you have to pay for it before it is issued to you and you will only be in a position to buy or inherit a firearm lawfully once this licence is produced.
The present firearm control legislation is more than adequate and the penalties, for transgressing, harsh. The problem and threat are the criminals who will steal, borrow, make or hire illegal firearms to perform their heinous crimes.
No new or stricter laws will prevent or stop the criminals from committing their crimes. The only way to help reduce these crimes in South Africa is to have better policing systems, better judicial systems and honest, competent governance from local to national level!
Morrice Lavin, Alexandria
