Petitions against amending Firearms Act gain momentum

Petitions against the Firearms Control Amendment Bill are gaining momentum as thousands of South Africans are making their voices heard.

Two weeks ago, the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service published a call for public comment on the bill.

Among others, it seeks to remove self-defence as a reason to own a gun. The Firearms Control Amendment Bill 2021 replaces the last bill that was submitted to Cabinet in February 2015.

Two weeks since the bill was released for comment, people have been responding to petitions and public participation processes.

The police ministry has received over 85,000 public submissions on the bill.

The Democratic Alliance launched a petition against the bill and already has 65,000 signatures. Action Society and DearSA have public participation processes also running.

Meanwhile, Gun Free South Africa has welcomed the proposed amendments stating clearly that owning a firearm is a privilege, not a right.

The organization’s Adele Kirsten on Monday said: “A gun doesn’t make you safer; it puts you more at risk. There is no principle that says you have the right to use a gun to protect yourself.”

This Cape Town man has owned a firearm for four years.

In 2016, suspects broke into his family home armed with firearms and tied them up. For him, it was traumatic; something he said he never wants to experience again.

“I would rather have a firearm and not need it than not have the firearm and need it.”

The public has until 4 July to comment on the bill.

-EWN

In other news – List of straight SA actors who nailed their Gay roles on TV Drama series

No doubt we can all agree that Mzansi has vast talents when it comes to acting. We can all agree that of late seasoned actors have become global stars due to their craft.

Well, Mzansi is blessed with a lot of talented people as these include actors who can take on any character and make it work. This includes actors who can act out gay characters so well that you end up thinking that they are actually gay in real life. Learn More