THE South Africa Police Service must by law investigate charges of negligence against the owner of a firearm if the gun is lost or stolen.
Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Cst Phindile Radebe, said every firearm owner is responsible for the safekeeping of his/her firearm as apart from the criminal charges, the owner may also be declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“All firearms must be stored in a safe when the owner is not carrying it physically in his/her possession. Steel trunks and cupboards are not regarded as a safe storage space,” she said.
Radebe advised people to always keep their firearm license with the gun. “It must be available when a police officer requests you to produce it.
“Firearms must be carried in a holster, a carry case or other holder designed to carry a firearm, it should be completely covered. When you transport your firearm, please ensure that it is not visible from outside the vehicle,”.
Firearm owners must ensure that their firearm is kept in a locked safe “Do not leave guns under pillows, in drawers or on cupboards where children may find them. Firearms should never be stored in the glove case, under the seat or in the boot of the car.”
She said people should only load and unload their firearm where it is safe to do so.
“Never do it in the presents of children and visitors at home. Nobody, except an accredited courier, may transport another person’s firearms. You may therefore not allow someone to take your firearm to go hunting or target shooting,” Radebe explained.
She added that only a person who is licensed to possess a firearm or a dealer in firearms may store another person’s firearm.
