Developments on the firearm front and the lockdown

I am busy finishing off this article on the last day (30 April) of the level 5 lockdown – and my, have times changed since writing my last article for On Target Africa on 5 March – it seems a world away!

Letter to the Minster of Police

A number of firearm organisations, including the South African Gun Owners’ Association (SAGA), addressed letters to the Minister of Police on firearm issues just before the lockdown, with a focus on the renewal of firearm licences and the amnesty during the lockdown period, and the possible extension of both.

On the afternoon of 23 April, SAGA received a written response, dated 22 April, from the Minister on the above two issues. The relevant portions of the Minister’s letter regarding the suspension of the licence renewal process states as follows:

“The Firearms Control Act, 2000, requires the renewal of a licence or competency certificate at least 90 days before the expiry thereof. Persons who are negatively affected by the lockdown, would be those in respect of whom the limit of 90 days