POLOKWANE – Nelson Ramafalo, a resident in the city, is in the market for a firearm because according to him, living in South Africa, specifically Polokwane, he needs to be able to protect himself and his family.
Ramafalo says his neighbour got into trouble with the law after he pulled out his firearm in a busy street in reaction to a man attempting to rob him. “Someone wanted to stab him with a screwdriver and my friend gets into trouble for protecting himself,” Ramafalo explains.
Recently, police have placed more emphasis on the correct handling of a firearm regardless of the situation. Ramafalo says this makes obtaining a firearm licence very difficult.
According to Polokwane Police Spokesperson WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, handling a firearm incorrectly could lead to criminal charges.
Local legal representative Phillip Smith says: “If you happen to own self defence firearms, do not keep it locked away in a safe. It might prove to be unreachable in a critical situation. Self defence weapons need to be carried on your person. Get used to it.”
Smith says practicing shooting on a regular basis is very important, not only to familiarise yourself with your weapon but also because the experience could prove invaluable. “If you do not have a self defence fire-arm, consider acquiring one. If you are afraid of guns, it is only because you are unfamiliar with guns and the safe handling thereof,” Smith continues.
If you do not own a weapon, get a few cans of pepper-spray, trust me, it works. It will disable any assailant and buy yourself time to call for help.
He also recommends motorists and home owners consult websites such as Arrive Alive, as well as firearm trainers to get more information on the handling of firearms.
Arrive Alive Safety rules include the following:
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Identify your target and the threat it poses before firing at it.
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Ask yourself – What’s behind your target? Always make sure that a stray shot, or a bullet which penetrates its intended target through and through, will be safely stopped.
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Never shoot at a hard surface, or at water — your shot may glance off, ricochet and injure someone.
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Never shoot at glass bottles, living trees, or inappropriate targets which would create a hazard for other persons or damage the environment.
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Never shoot a rifle or handgun directly upwards, or at a high angle of elevation. A bullet fired at an angle into the air can have enough energy to accidentally kill someone far away!
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Never shoot across a highway or other road.
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Never vandalize a road sign (or other public or private property) by using it as a target. Read more
A local firearm instructor in the city tells Review there are several things the public need to take into consideration with the handling of a firearm.
He says anyone handling a firearm should always assume all guns are loaded. “The only unloaded gun in the entire world is the one that you have in your hand and have personally verified as unloaded. If you set it down, it becomes a loaded gun again,” he explains.
Such situations can result from any of the following:
• Faulty handling of the firearm.
• Misunderstandings about a firearm’s status.
• Mechanical failures.
• Wear, faulty assembly, damage or faulty design of the firearm can cause it to malfunction.
With safety being a very important consideration for South Africans, many have become firearm owners and are transporting firearms in their vehicles. With this in mind, Arrive Alive has launched a campaign to assist in creating safety awareness regarding firearms both when on and away from roads.
The Arrive Alive website features recommendations for the correct handling of firearms. The purpose of this is to eliminate or minimize the risks of unintentional death, injury or damage caused by improper handling of firearms.
“We as the police urge residents to act within the law and ensure they have the proper training when handling a firearm,” Ramoshaba concludes.
riana@nmgroup.co.za
