Self-defence issue in Firearms Act amendment

Police Minister Bheki Cele says the removal of self-defence as a reason for owning a gun – as provided for in the Firearms Control Act – would reduce proliferation of illegal firearms in the country, notes a Cape Argus report. Cele made the statement in a written response to a parliamentary question by the FF Plus MP Petrus Groenewald who wanted to know whether Cele intended to amend the Firearms Control Act to provide for self-defence to be deleted. He also wanted the reasons for the amendment and asked to be furnished with details of the proposed amendment. Cele said the process of amending the Firearms Control Act was at an advanced stage. ‘The draft Bill provides for the consideration and approval process of application for a licence, inter alia, in respect of the category for self-defence to possess firearm to be strengthened. This is to ensure that the proliferation of illegal firearms in the country is reduced,’ Cele said. According to the Bill, the registrar of firearms may not issue a licence that authorises the possession of a firearm unless the registrar was satisfied that the application has a valid reason. It deemed self-defence or protection of any other person or property as not valid reasons other than those outlined in the proposed legislation. The report says this has sparked outrage from Gun Owners SA, which has described the draft Bill as taking away a means to defend oneself.