Katlego Moeng
Katlego Moeng
The police are adamant that there will be no extension or suspension of any kind in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
National spokesperson Director Phuti Setati said: "This is not a game. We are not talking about a licence to sell oranges. We are implementing the Act with no reservations.
"We will act decisively and we will not look back," said Setati.
Responding to gun owners' concerns that about two million guns have been rendered illegal after the Tuesday expiry date, Setati said: "There is no dilemma, from July 1 anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with in accordance with the law."
He said those who wanted compensation for handing in their guns can fill out the relevant form that would be sent to police head office in Pretoria.
"Each application will be looked at and a decision will be made at head office. It is not a given that a person would be compensated.
"Those who say we have a backlog are speaking from the outside. We are not in a hurry, we want to consider all applications carefully and then make a decision," said Setati.
"We want to ensure effective control of legal firearms and get rid of all illegal firearms. Look at the number of gun-related crimes in the country."
Setati gave three legal options to gun owners: Sell the gun to a person with a licence, deactivate the gun through a legal gunsmith, or hand it in before the end of June.
"Those gun owner associations should actually be supporting us."
'POLICE WILL ENFORCE GUN LAW RULES'
Katlego Moeng
Katlego Moeng
The police are adamant that there will be no extension or suspension of any kind in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
National spokesperson Director Phuti Setati said: "This is not a game. We are not talking about a licence to sell oranges. We are implementing the Act with no reservations.
"We will act decisively and we will not look back," said Setati.
Responding to gun owners' concerns that about two million guns have been rendered illegal after the Tuesday expiry date, Setati said: "There is no dilemma, from July 1 anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with in accordance with the law."
He said those who wanted compensation for handing in their guns can fill out the relevant form that would be sent to police head office in Pretoria.
"Each application will be looked at and a decision will be made at head office. It is not a given that a person would be compensated.
"Those who say we have a backlog are speaking from the outside. We are not in a hurry, we want to consider all applications carefully and then make a decision," said Setati.
"We want to ensure effective control of legal firearms and get rid of all illegal firearms. Look at the number of gun-related crimes in the country."
Setati gave three legal options to gun owners: Sell the gun to a person with a licence, deactivate the gun through a legal gunsmith, or hand it in before the end of June.
"Those gun owner associations should actually be supporting us."