It is still a firearm amnesty period

Rabie Ridge SAPS would like to remind the general public that it is still the firearm amnesty period, where people can return illegal firearms to the police without being arrested.

The firearm amnesty means an indemnity against prosecution for the unlawful possession of a firearm. The firearm amnesty period provides an opportunity for members of the community to surrender unwanted firearms and ammunition, firearms possessed unlawfully, as well as firearm parts to the SAPS without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession thereof.

Const Jacob Nhlongo, communications officer of Rabie Ridge SAPS, said the firearm amnesty period commenced on December 1, 2019, and will end on May 31, 2020.

“Firearms that people unlawfully have in their possession, unwanted firearms, unregistered firearms, firearm parts and ammunition may be surrendered during the period of amnesty.”

– Unwanted firearms are lawfully in someone’s possession, but their owners no longer need or require them.

– Firearms that are unsafe to use, or in a poor state.

– Firearms that were inherited from a deceased person, and a person is not interested in keeping it.

– Firearms that were left behind by the previous owner of the property and were found on such property.

• Illegal firearm is any firearm or firearm part which is not licensed and possessed in accordance with the firearm control Act, 2000 (Act no 60 of 2000).

• Illegal firearm includes a firearm or firearm part that is not registered to the current owner.

• Doesn’t have serial number.

• Is possessed by a person who doesn’t have a licence for that firearm.

“The firearm amnesty also allows people whose firearm licences have expired to surrender such firearms without facing prosecution. The firearms control Act, 2000 (Act no 60 of 2000) further allows the person surrendering a firearm to apply for a licence for such a firearm in terms of section 39 (4) (a) of the Act,” said Nhlongo.