‘The gun laws have not changed’, warns SA Hunters
The association has urged the public to abide by the current gun laws.
THE SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SA Hunters) has expressed some concern over ‘misleading and incorrect’ information being published in both media and social media regarding the status of firearm licences and the renewal processes.
This after the Pretoria High Court last week deemed Section 24 and 28 of the Firearms Control Act unconstitutional. Parliament has been given 18 months to amend the act, allowing it to comply with the Constitution.
“The law has not changed. The SAPS’s notice to appeal against the Gauteng North High Court judgement on 4 July that declared Sections 24 and 28 unconstitutional, suspends the High Court ruling. We are waiting for a clarification from the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court on the legal process following SAPS’ notice of appeal,” said SA Hunters CEO, Fred Camphor.
ALSO READ: SAPS clamp down on gun salutes at funerals
Camphor urged the public to abide by the current gun laws.
The Association sent a newsletter to its 41 000 members requesting them to be patient and to act within the constraints of the Act and the legal process.
“Civil disobedience is not a remedy for a complex problem. We request all firearm owners to act responsibly,” he added.
Last week the SAPS promised that they would not prosecute any person for being in possession of a firearm of which the licence had lapsed, and they would not destroy any firearms already handed in to the SAPS prior to the Court decision being received.
ALSO READ: Gun recovered in Kensington Square flower bed
“The Constitutional Court is in recess until the end of July and I doubt if we will receive any directives before mid-August,” Camphor said.
SA Hunters advises firearm owners as follows:
- If your firearm licence is due to lapse, please apply in good time for the renewal of that licence.
- If you already handed in a firearm to the Police, retain the proof thereof very carefully. The police will not return your firearm to you at this stage.
- If you are in possession of a firearm of which the licence lapsed, please keep it locked away in your safe and preferably do not use it.
- Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with local news or send us your name on WhatsApp: at 060 532 5532.
