5 July 2013: Gun Free South Africa calls for an immediate moratorium on the issuing of all firearm licenses, permits and certificates. This will allow investigators to fully uncover the extent of alleged fraud and corruption by gun dealers, training institutions and the police so that appropriate action can be taken.
Since 2010 it has been public knowledge that the Central Firearms Registry (CFR), the police unit tasked with regulating firearms, is not functioning as it should.
Instead of improving its function, as was promised by the Minister of Police in November 2010, things have gotten worse. This was confirmed when the Minister established a commission of inquiry to investigate “unscrupulous dealers in firearms and illegally-operating firearms training institutions”. Gun Free South Africa has welcomed the commission, calling for it to also conduct a forensic audit on all licences issued since November 2010.
Recent allegations paint a picture of a complete breakdown over the control of guns, these include:
• An investigation into one of South Africa's biggest gun shops after an employee approached the Hawks with proof of alleged illegal transactions, corruption, fraud and the export of weapons and ammunition to Russia, Sudan and Syria.
• A journalist buying a training certificate from an accredited firearms training centre for R1000, using a fake name and ID number. A training certificate is the first step to applying for a gun licence, showing that the applicant understands the law around the safe use and handling of firearm.
• Firearms missing from SAPS 13 evidence stores and licences being issued to people with a history of violent behaviour.
Because key role-players tasked with ensuring that gun licences are granted only to ‘fit and proper persons' are circumventing the law, the law isn't doing what it aims to do: regulate who owns what gun for which purpose. The result is that we are all unsafe.
An immediate moratorium on the issuing of gun licences is the only sensible next step.
Issued by Claire Taylor on behalf of Gun Free South Africa, Cell: 072 341 3898, Email: info@gfsa.org.za
Gun Free South Africa is working towards a safer, more secure South Africa, by reducing gun violence.
Stop issuing all gun licences
5 July 2013: Gun Free South Africa calls for an immediate moratorium on the issuing of all firearm licenses, permits and certificates. This will allow investigators to fully uncover the extent of alleged fraud and corruption by gun dealers, training institutions and the police so that appropriate action can be taken.
Since 2010 it has been public knowledge that the Central Firearms Registry (CFR), the police unit tasked with regulating firearms, is not functioning as it should.
Instead of improving its function, as was promised by the Minister of Police in November 2010, things have gotten worse. This was confirmed when the Minister established a commission of inquiry to investigate “unscrupulous dealers in firearms and illegally-operating firearms training institutions”. Gun Free South Africa has welcomed the commission, calling for it to also conduct a forensic audit on all licences issued since November 2010.
Recent allegations paint a picture of a complete breakdown over the control of guns, these include:
• An investigation into one of South Africa's biggest gun shops after an employee approached the Hawks with proof of alleged illegal transactions, corruption, fraud and the export of weapons and ammunition to Russia, Sudan and Syria.
• A journalist buying a training certificate from an accredited firearms training centre for R1000, using a fake name and ID number. A training certificate is the first step to applying for a gun licence, showing that the applicant understands the law around the safe use and handling of firearm.
• Firearms missing from SAPS 13 evidence stores and licences being issued to people with a history of violent behaviour.
Because key role-players tasked with ensuring that gun licences are granted only to ‘fit and proper persons' are circumventing the law, the law isn't doing what it aims to do: regulate who owns what gun for which purpose. The result is that we are all unsafe.
An immediate moratorium on the issuing of gun licences is the only sensible next step.
Issued by Claire Taylor on behalf of Gun Free South Africa, Cell: 072 341 3898, Email: info@gfsa.org.za
Gun Free South Africa is working towards a safer, more secure South Africa, by reducing gun violence.
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