Firearm amnesty period ends this month
Those in possession of illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition have until Sunday to surrender without fear of prosecution.
THE South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a reminder that the Firearm Amnesty period, declared by the Minister of Police, will end on 31 January.
The Firearm Amnesty period was declared by Police Minister General Bheki Cele for a six-month period which started on 1 August 2020.
The purpose of the Firearm Amnesty is to provide an opportunity for people to voluntarily surrender and hand over all firearms and firearm parts that are no longer wanted, including those inherited as part of the estates of relatives who had passed on.
According to the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000) that came into effect on 1 July 2004, the heir has the following options:
- Handing the firearms to a dealer
- Handing the firearms to the police to be destroyed
- Arranging for the firearms to be deactivated by a gunsmith, after which the gunsmith must issue a certificate to confirm that this has been done.
- Applying for a new licence in terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000).
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This involves obtaining a Competency Certificate for the type of firearm. A background check by the South African Police Services will be conducted including compliance to the gun safe regulations.
People are encouraged to use this opportunity which is about to come to an end at the end of January. Those in possession of illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition have until Sunday to surrender without fear of prosecution at their nearest police station.
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