South Africa
Gun Free SA lauds proposed amendments to firearms legislation─── 08:12 Mon, 07 Jun 2021
Gun Free South Africa has lauded the proposed amendments to the country’s firearms legislation which bans the licensing of handguns for use for self-defense.
The move by government to change the law has been met with criticism from some quarters.
South Africans will not be able to apply for a gun licence on the basis that they need a firearm for self-defence, under the new legislation.
Gun Free SA says the provisions align South Africa with legal obligations and global norms are based on scientific evidence.
Gun Free SA’s Adèle Kirsten says they support the proposed amendments.
“Gun Free SA welcomes the amendment and for a number of reasons, because the Bill really seeks to do a number of things. I think one of the underlying principles is to reduce the rates of death and gun violence in our country.”
“It is also about closing loopholes where the current Act has been abused by gun owners. I think it is over the last 20 years of implementing the existing Act and a number of loopholes have been observed. It is really an attempt to shut down those loopholes,” adds Kirsten.
