GUN OWNERS are urged to surrender illegally possessed or unwanted firearms, ammunition and firearm parts during Firearm Amnesty, which runs until 31 May.
The Firearm Amnesty was declared by Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, in Parliament last November, in a bid to create safer communities. In terms of section 138 of the Firearm Control Act, ‘amnesty’ means an indemnity against prosecution, and creates an opportunity for the public to surrender illegally possessed or unwanted firearms, ammunition and firearm parts to the South African Police Service without fear of being prosecuted for unlawful possession of these items.
A person who surrenders his or her firearm during the period of amnesty will be required to complete and sign the necessary forms at their nearest police station and must insist on a copy of a SAPS 548 (Amnesty form). The Firearm Amnesty also allows citizens to reapply for their expired firearm licences.
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The objective of the amnesty is to reduce a large pool of illegal and unwanted firearms, ammunition and firearm parts that are in circulation in the country, and almost 1 500 guns were surrendered in the first month of firearm amnesty, which started in December last year.
However, the pardon applies only to people who meet the requirements of the firearms amnesty period. To qualify for the amnesty, the person in illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition and firearm parts must voluntarily hand them in at a police station. No indemnity will be granted for firearms previously used to commit violent crimes such as murder, robbery and hijacking. Ballistics tests will be done on firearms, and a detective investigative team has been established to investigate cases of firearms linked to crime. When the amnesty period ends, firearms will be audited for the purpose of destruction.
An enquiry desk at Central Firearm Register (CFR) has been established to handle all enquiries related to the amnesty. Contact 012 353 6111.
The guidelines for the Firearm Amnesty are also accessible on the SAPS website: www.saps.gov.za.
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