Gun Control Laws In South Africa

The possession and use of weaponry, specifically guns are an issue that has created controversy all over the world.

South Africa does have certain laws in place to ensure a certain level of safety,

many citizens may argue that past incidents and current factors such as aggravated armed robberies indicate that these laws do need to be made stricter and improved upon. Procedures that could be put in place would be the restriction of gun ownership as well as the ban of higher calibre weaponry.

A factor that asserts itself to people favouring private gun ownership is the before mentioned spike in crime South Africa is currently facing. According to an international census South Africa has the fourth highest crime rate in the world. Many

Recent studies conducted by the American Social Studies Organization

have proved that there is only a 1.6% success rate in civilian interventions in

shootouts. Other studies have indicated that gun owners or four times more likely to

have their firearm used on them than to use it in self-defense.

Despite these statistics gun activists may argue that sufficient precautions are taken

before any firearm license is issued to ensure maximum safety. According to

Firearms Control Act 60 a competency test, background check, premises inspection

and gun safety course must be taken by all applicants to ensure that they are of

sound mind and can handle the responsibilities of owning a firearm. All legal

firearms must also be kept, unloaded, in a locked safe. This indicates that gun

ownership can be safe and current measures are sufficient.

Even though many safety measures are put in place to maximize gun safety, gun

antivists may argue that these are insufficient. In spite of the extensive paperwork

and tests gun ownership can have horrific consequences due to human

The price of a legal AK-47 is R5000. Included in this price is

tax. This money can be put towards the betterment of South Africa. Adding onto this

is the fact that people can still obtain guns from the black market despite it being

illegal. This poses a problem as these guns come with no tax charge and no gun

safety course.

Contrary to this thought provoking argument made by gun activists, gun antivists

could argue the fact that gun violence has had detrimental affects on the South

African economy. According to the South African Medical Research Organization gun

injuries have accounted for 4% of the national medical budget and can cost up to

R550000 per patient. Adding onto this the after treatment can cost anything

between R100000 to R300000. Further showing how gun ownership should be

restricted.

From the preceding points I was able to arrive at the personal conclusion that gun

control laws must be made stricter or gun ownership must be restricted to the

police because many unnessecary deaths have occurred because of it. However, the

economic advantages and safety measures involved in legal gun ownership make it

difficult to establish a solid stance on this