‘Firearm Act amendments absurd’
These suggestions will not solve the crime problem in South Africa. It will only lead to gun owners lying about the purpose of their firearms or completely sidestepping the process by owning firearms illegally.
• Henry Geldenhuys, president of TLU SA writes:
TLU SA finds the suggested amendments to the Firearm Act absurd and contradictory to the South African Constitution.
The Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa states that every person has the right to a safe environment. Since the government miserably fails to guarantee the safety of South Africans, every person should have the right to take their protection onto themselves.
South Africans are already like birds on a branch trying to miss the shots fired left, right and centre. Literally and figuratively. The suggested amendments to the Firearm Act will be ridiculous as long as crime in the country is out of control and the government cannot guarantee the safety of each citizen.
To expect that farmers, who are remote and isolated, do not protect themselves, is unthinkable.
The latest crime statistics show an increase in attacks and murders, with 103 farm attacks and 16 farm murders just this year. It is common knowledge that the police do not have enough vehicles, uniforms, or even equipment to do their jobs properly. The telephones at some police stations don’t work. Some police members are part of the corruption. The minister of police is the main reason for the country’s backlog in processing DNA samples and applications for firearm licences.
Why don’t the government rather spend time, money and resources to get the illegal firearms from gangsters and other criminals instead of targeting legal firearm owners? Why don’t they spend time and money on visible policing, resource management and the protection of farmers?
If the government approves the suggested amendments, TLU SA will demand that the government be held liable for any expenses incurred from crimes where the victim could not act in self-defence.
These suggestions will not solve the crime problem in South Africa. It will only lead to gun owners lying about the purpose of their firearms or completely sidestepping the process by owning firearms illegally.
TLU SA already reached out to organisations with the same objectives about a meeting to discuss the various issues on the table.
