Owners of firearms not in use are also requested to hand these weapons to police for destruction.
Stolen firearms used to commit crimes are recovered by police on a daily basis.
In April, more than 190 firearms were seized in Gauteng during crime prevention operations and the investigation of crimes.
“A high percentage of firearms in the hands of criminals are stolen from the firearm owners and some of these stolen firearms are not reported,” says SAPS provincial spokesperson Lt Col Lungelo Dlamini.
This does not include those stolen during the commission of crime, as some firearms are stolen because of negligence.
The following security measures are advised:
- Firearms should always be locked in a safe.
- Don’t leave firearms in vehicles.
- Don’t carry firearms openly as it may attract the attention of the criminals.
- Always carry a firearm in a holster.
- Don’t carry a firearm at public gatherings or public places.
- Only a person who is licensed to possess a firearm may store a firearm belonging to another person.
- Firearms belonging to the deceased should be handed in at the police station before a licence can be acquired by the person authorised to keep it.
Owners of firearms are warned that should they lose their firearms through negligence or handle them negligently, their licences may be revoked.
The police urge owners to exercise strict control to assist with the safety of the community.
For more information, visit the Firearms Registration Control at the Springs police station during office hours (7am to 4pm).
