The South African Gunowners Association has stated that it is unclear where the country's illegal firearms are coming from. This comes as the latest mass shootings have reignited debate around South Africa's gun laws and potential changes to the Firearms Control Act. The association argues that the proposed Firearms Control Amendment Bill is targeting the wrong people and that a clearer understanding of the origin of firearms used in violent crimes is needed.
According to Shaun Lyle of the South African Gunowners Association, there are two distinct pools of firearms: legally owned and illicit firearms. Lyle emphasized that these should not be treated as the same problem, as legally owned firearms are vetted and owned by lawful individuals, while illicit firearms are unregistered and outside of the system. He suggested that conflating the two is incorrect and that the massive problem lies in understanding how guns end up in the illicit pool.
Lyle noted that it is challenging to determine the main source of supply of illicit firearms, as some are lost or stolen from licensed owners, while others may be obtained through cross-border trafficking or diversion. He referenced a 2017 Small Arms Survey estimate, which suggested that there were approximately 5.2 million firearms in South Africa at the time, with around three million considered lawful and 2.3 million illegal or unlawful.
The association argues that stronger tracing and better information about the chain of custody of firearms would help understand how guns are moving into the illegal market. Lyle emphasized that tackling the issue requires proper evidence and tracing of firearms. The debate around gun laws comes as communities mourn the victims of recent mass shootings and the government pushes ahead with changes to the country's legislation.
The proposed Firearms Control Amendment Bill has been met with criticism from the South African Gunowners Association, which argues that it targets the wrong group. The association is calling for a clearer understanding of the origin of illicit firearms before making changes to the legislation. This comes as expert opinions suggest that the proliferation of firearms in South Africa may be linked to the country's porous borders.
The issue of gun violence in South Africa remains a pressing concern, with recent incidents highlighting the need for effective solutions. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has referred 44 KZN police-related death cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution, as part of efforts to address police-related violence. Meanwhile, the government is working to address the scourge of gun violence and related crimes.
The South African Gunowners Association's stance on the issue highlights the complexity of addressing gun violence in the country. As the government continues to push for changes to the Firearms Control Act, the association's call for clearer data on the origin of illicit firearms remains a crucial aspect of the debate. The issue is likely to remain a contentious topic in the lead-up to further discussions on gun laws in South Africa.
Key points
- The South African Gunowners Association is calling for clearer data on the origin of illicit firearms before making changes to the country's gun laws.
