Police urge public to hand in guns
A person who inherits a firearm and wishes to keep it may apply for an appropriate licence, deactivate the firearm or dispose of the firearm.
Police are urging the public to hand in firearms in deceased estates, if they do not wish to relicence them.
Port Shepstone police spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge said in cases of executorship, a person has 60 days from the date the letter of executorship has been issued to dispose of the firearm, i.e. destroyed or re-licenced.
Mpinge said a person who inherits a firearm and wishes to keep it may apply for an appropriate licence, deactivate the firearm or dispose of the firearm in accordance with the Provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000).
He said the SAPS Port Shepstone Designated Firearms Office is ready to assist persons with these firearms and can be contacted on 039 688 1008.
“If these firearms are not relicenced they are then illegal and 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 report persons in possession of illegal firearms to the police. All information will be treated as confidential,” he said.
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