Police have made an urgent appeal to the public to hand in firearms in deceased estates if they do not wish to re-license them.

In case of executorship, a person has 60 days from the date the letter of executorship was issued to dispose of the firearm, for example: destroyed or re-license.

A person who inherits a firearm and wishes to keep it may apply for an appropriate licence or deactivate the firearm or dispose of the firearm in accordance with the Provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000).

The Saps Port Shepstone Designated Firearms Office is ready to assist persons with these firearms and can be contacted on 039 6881008/1009.

If these firearms are not re-licensed they are then illegal firearms for which a person can be arrested.

In addition, if these firearms are stolen in a housebreaking and later recovered or used in a crime, they can be traced and legal implications and possible prosecution may result.

The Saps has an ongoing campaign to remove illegal and unwanted firearms in the country as these firearms are often used to perpetrate serious and violent crime.

The public is encouraged to reports persons in possession of illegal firearms to the police. All information will be treated as confidential.

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