Firearms Control Act updated

The recent announcement government plans to amend the Firearms Control Act, No. 60 of 2000 has caused an uproar from gun owners who are not sure how the new act will work.

The SA Gunowners’ Association (SAGA) firmly believes that people must have the choice to decide for themselves what hobbies or sport to partake in and this includes the right to choose whether or not they want to lawfully possess a firearm.

This is the updated Firearms Control Act:

• To ensure corruption does not creep in and ensure that necessary internationally recognised checks and balances are built into the system.
• The additional security measures, like the application of microdots and ballistic sampling, won’t come into play as the infrastructure is not in place yet for the upgrades.
• The period of validity of a competency certificate has been reduced again to five years.
• The lifting of the restriction on private collectors and accredited training service providers to possess not more than 200 rounds of ammunition per firearm.
• The bill also contains a clause to provide for the re-licensing of firearms that had not yet been licensed under the new Act, in other words, that had been licensed under the repealed Arms and Ammunition Act of 1969.
• SAGA further welcomes the rectification of the process to license percussion cap revolvers. Despite the fact that the current Act provides that these items are in fact licensable firearms, there is no procedure in terms of which to license them. Although a similar provision exists for the licensing of receivers and frames, the bill only now creates an opportunity to do so.

Any gun-owner with complaints or suggestions about the Bill can send his/her views by email to Roodepoort Northsider at northside@caxton.co.za

Details: SAGA 031 562 9951.