Police ministry urges people to support firearm amnesty
The Police Ministry declared a firearms amnesty, which began on Sunday, 1 December until May next year.
IN an effort to turn the tide, save innocent lives and cease the proliferation of illegal firearms in the country, the Police Minister, General Bheki Cele announced the 2019/2020 Firearm Amnesty commencing from 1 December 2019 to 31 May 2020.
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Hillcrest SAPS communications officer, Capt Linzi Smith said the six (6) month Firearm Amnesty period will afford South Africans an opportunity to surrender illegal/unwanted firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts to help clear illegal guns from the streets.
What are the objectives behind the firearm amnesty?
- To reduce the number of illegally possessed firearms in circulation in South Africa
- To provide firearm owners with the opportunity to hand in unwanted firearms
- To prevent crime and violence and to promote safety
- To address the fundamental causes of crime in order to effectively protect our communities
- To ensure people living in South Africa feel safe and have no fear of crime
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“In terms of section 139(4)(a) of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), a person who surrenders a firearm in compliance with a notice published in terms of subsection (1) may apply in terms of this Act for a licence in respect of that firearm.
“An application contemplated in section 139(4) (a) shall not apply to illegal firearms where documentary proof of previous ownership cannot be produced,” explained Smith.
The amnesty (pardon) would grant indemnity to a person who surrenders illegal firearms or ammunition against prosecution only for the unlawful possession of such.
“Join the minister and the national commissioner in their efforts to create a South Africa that is safe for you and your loved ones by ensuring an effective implementation of firearm amnesty process,” added Smith.
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