With the changes in rules and regulations regarding the use and ownership of firearms, many people who have inherited firearms don’t know what regulations apply to them.
Last week, the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS, Lt Gen Mark Dumisa Magadlela explained the procedures surrounding the ownership of these estate firearms.
In terms of the Provision of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, Section 3 of the Act prohibits any person to possess a firearm without a licence, permit or authorisation issued under the Act.
Persons caught with an unlicensed firearm can spend up to 15 years in jail.
SAPS appeal to the community to surrender illegal firearms or to report anyone that has an illegal one in their possession.
If the owner of a firearm dies, their heirs will temporarily be able to safeguard the weapon. They will then have to report to their local police station for advice on how to deal with the firearm.
If the new owner would like to keep the firearm, they will have to apply for a competency certificate within 30 days of the previous owner’s death.
Police stations are no longer allowed to keep weapons for safeguarding, but permission to store a firearm may be granted to a person of the heir’s choice or a firearm dealer.
In terms of regulation 147 of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, if an heir is not interested in taking ownership of the firearm it can be disposed of in the following ways:
• Donate it to someone else, who must apply for or possess a firearm license
• Sell the firearm to a dealer
• Surrender the firearm to SAPS to be destroyed. The firearm will be assessed and either destroyed or forfeited to the state. If the latter applies, you can apply for compensation.
• Apply for the firearm’s deactivation. If the firearm is of sentimental value, it can be deactivated.
This means that the firearm will be rendered in operable by a gunsmith and you will receive it back, along with a certificate stating that it has been deactivated. This will allow the owner to display the firearm.
For more information on this process or to initiate one of the above processes, contact the White River Police Station on 013-750-0888.
