Local gun owners urged to use firearm amnesty period

Spokesperson for the SAPS Zululand Cluster, Captain Nkocy Gwala is urging all gun owners to make use of the firearm amnesty.
She has requested all gun owners to surrender their firearms, ammunition or firearm parts to the Designated Firearm Officers at their nearest police station, in an effort to bring about ‘safety and accountability’.
The firearm amnesty commenced on December 1 last year and will continue until the end of May this year.
All firearms can be handed in at local police stations from 7am until 5pm every day.
Gun owners need to be aware that all firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing, to determine if they have been used in a crime.
The amnesty period also allows for gun owners to renew their licenses, in the case they might have expired.
Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele has appealed to residents to make use of the amnesty period, as he believes it will result in the reduction of illegally possessed firearms.
“I encourage all South Africans who are in possession of illegal or unwanted firearms to surrender them to their nearest police stations during this amnesty period, knowing they will not be prosecuted.”
The Firearm Control Act and Firearms Control Regulations are as follows:
1. In terms of section 139 of the act, the Minister of Police has declared an amnesty in order to allow any person who is in unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and or firearm parts the opportunity to surrender such firearms, ammunition and or firearm parts without the fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession thereof.
2. In terms of section 139(4)(a) of the firearm control act 2000, a person who surrenders a firearm in compliance with a notice published in terms of subsection (1) may apply in terms of the act for a licence in respect of the firearm. This shall not apply to illegal firearms.
3. The firearm amnesty commence until May 31, 2020.
4. No person may possess any firearm part unless he/she holds a license in respect of a firearm capable of bearing that firearm part.
5. No person may possess any ammunition unless he/she holds a license in respect of a firearm capable of discharging that ammunition or holds a permit to possess ammunition.
6. It is of paramount importance to note that any person who surrenders illegal firearms, ammunition or firearms parts in terms of the Gazetted amnesty, will not be prosecuted for contravening a provision of the act relating to the possession of the item without the appropriate license, permit or authorisation.

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