IF you pull the trigger to defend your life, be prepared to defend your actions in court.
That was the message of defence attorney Advocate Yolanda Gielink at a well-attended ‘gun talk’ meeting hosted by the Arboretum CPF at Richards Bay High School on Wednesday.
Speaking on the consequences of shooting an intruder at one’s home, Gielink’s warning that ‘criminals also have the constitutional right to life’ did not sit well with an audience obviously fed up with crime levels.
‘Shooting should be an absolute last resort, if you have no other means to protect yourself but to fire,’ she said.
‘Alternatives such as pepper spray and tazers would be among other resorts when threatened.
‘The first step should be to avoid a confrontation and escape, if possible.
‘For example, if you are being hijacked, just hand over the keys and run; you may not shoot the hijacker dead because he is stealing your property.
‘However, there are circumstances where use of a firearm may be proved justified in court.’
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Gielink was supported by highly experienced weapons dealer and firearms trainer, ex-police chief Bill Fourie, who said any action would be linked to the law.
‘Legal gun owners should know the Firearms Control Act, be licenced and trained, have written a test, know and maintain the firearm, and maintain the required level of competency with a weapon.
‘Quite simply, if you know the law you will know when you use the firearm – and it is the law that will be used in court.
‘Taking of a human life is a very serious matter. Even the State does not have this right, which is why the death penalty was abolished,’ said Fourie.
‘However, the citizen has the right to protect himself and others, but using the least degree of force necessary to do so.’
Capt Pierre Heenen shared advice on the proper way to fill in gun licence applications and reminded gun owners on issues such as informing the SAPS on change of address and disposing of unwanted firearms.
