Firearm owners get a second chance to hand in illegal weapons with new amnesty period announced
The amnesty is aimed at those in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and who wish to legally dispose of these.
Owners of illegal, unlicensed and unwanted firearms and ammunition have another chance to hand in their weapons as a new amnesty period of six months came into effect from August 1 2020 until January 31 2021.
The previous amnesty period which was also intended for six months, between December 2019 and May 2020 was thwarted by the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the South African Police Service received 46 714 firearms.
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The restrictions of levels 5 and 4 s prevented people from turning in illegal as well as unlicensed and unwanted firearms and ammunition.
This prompted the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele to approach Parliament to approve a new application of a six month amnesty period.
The approval of the new application has since been published in the Government Gazette on July 31 2020 which now allows all persons with illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition to hand these in at their nearest police station.
“We are urging people to take advantage of this period to hand in firearms and ammunition for destruction or to renew their competency certificate and obtain a valid licence,” said a police spokesman.
“The latest national crime statistics once again show that firearms were the preferred weapon in the commission of most of the violent crime. Reducing the circulation of firearms may potentially reduce the scourge of violent crimes quite significantly.”
The firearm amnesty envisages to see a reduced number of illegal firearms in circulation in the country.
It therefore provides firearm owners with the opportunity to hand in illegal and unwanted firearms which will result in the prevention of crime and promotion of safety to ensure people living in South Africa are and feel safe.
It must be noted that no indemnity will be granted for firearms used to commit any crime.
All firearms that have been handed in will undergo ballistic testing to ensure that they have not been used in the commission of any crimes, before they can be considered for destruction.
For firearm amnesty enquiries, call 012 353 6111 or email cfrenquiry@saps.gov.za
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