This is according to John Welch, president of the South African Gunowners Association or SAGA. Welch was responding to a recent legislative proposal, which states that firearm licenses should no longer be issued for self-defense. 

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Many concerns have been raised following the Draft Firearms Control Amendment Bill that was released, which includes numerous controversial proposals. One proposal that stands out, are plans to ban South Africans from applying for gun licenses for the purpose of self-defense. Welch, says the police tend to frown upon citizens and often arrest them should they protect themselves and defend themselves against violent crimes. 

This, unfortunately, sends out the wrong message, a message that criminals are tolerated and could do as they please, he emphasises. He further says with police services being at its lowest level ever and the state of SAPS being captured by corruption and other crime, it is not surprising that the police minister has made these proposals. 

The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, says that he wants to disarm all law-abiding citizens, except sports shooters and hunters, who will be confined to using their weapons under the condition that it is used where it is safe to utilise and for a purpose that is deemed lawful. Cele added that self-defense will no longer be a valid reason to possess a firearm. Welch says the majority of law-abiding citizens seldom carry firearms and keep them at home as last resort in responding to violence. However, SAGA believes by removing these rights from the responsible and law-abiding citizens to protect their own lives, serious crime will increase drastically.

OFM News/Blaine Jones