SAGA media release on firearm amnesty 2018

Due to the fact that SAGA received last minute notice of the discussion on the proposed

amnesty for firearms in the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police we had little time to

prepare, but fortunately one of SAGA’s trustees, Damien Enslin, was available to attend the

meeting on 8 November 2017.

SAPS was well-represented by a number of Generals, one of which was Major General Bothma,

who presented the conditions of the Amnesty as well as the structure and process of the

amnesty. A copy of this presentation is available on our website.

The Portfolio Committee was deeply concerned about the rationale behind the amnesty as a

number of committee members felt that if the main objective was the removal of so-called illegal

firearms from criminal hands there was no point in it.

Members of the committee questioned the police on previous amnesties and whether any

crimes have been solved by so doing or whether surrendered firearms could be linked to any

crimes. The police delegation was unable to give any data concerning this and advised

Parliament that they will revert with data in due course (because of previous experience one

would have thought the police would have come prepared).

The Committee was extremely concerned about the safekeeping and transportation of

surrendered firearms, especially in light of the many thefts or losses that have recently occurred

at various police stations.

The Committee was also concerned about the vetting of the officers that would be involved in

this process, from the police station all the way to destruction of the firearms. They wanted to

know how these persons were to be vetted and when this would take place.

The notice that the police brought to Parliament was defective as it had the incorrect dates. As a

result the police will have to return to Parliament on Wednesday, 15th November 2017 to submit

the proper notice which we expect to then be endorsed by the Committee.

In essence, the Firearm Amnesty will be in effect from 1st February 2018 for a period of six

months.

The Amnesty intends covering legally and illegally possessed firearms as well as those for

which the owners had not renewed their licenses. Thus anyone with an expired firearm licence

should be able to take advantage of the Firearm Amnesty, surrendering it and simultaneously (or

within 14 days after having surrendered it) applying for a new license for it. This process will

obviously carry the risk of the licence not being granted. SAGA does not favour this process

and we would prefer such affected persons to rather keep their firearms locked in their safes

(and not carry or use them).

SAGA was permitted to address the Committee concerning the amnesty and raised the fact that

SAPS have not conferred with stakeholders concerning the amnesty process and conditions.

We further noted that SAGA members as well as general society, were deeply concerned about

surrendering their firearms to the police considering the recent loss and theft of firearms, and

gross negligence with respect to firearms held in police custody. In fact, the police themselves

have proved that they cannot be trusted.

With respect to the case (SA Hunters vs. Minister of Police) regarding the late renewal of firearm

licences, we wish to remind our members that the Minister appealed the judgement of 4th July

2017, and this appeal has been set down for hearing in the Constitutional Court on the 8th

February 2018.

Once we have studied the conditions and terms of the amnesty, and if and when the amnesty is

approved by parliament, we will provide an update.

South African Gunowners' Association (SAGA)

Office Tel: 031-562-9951 Fax: 086-553-9615

Email: saga@saga.org.za Website: www.saga.org.za

PO Box 35203, Northway, 4065