Drop the guns

I AM deeply concerned about the trend of private gun ownership in Cape Town, as though citizens cannot live without guns. Civilian gun ownership is not only unethical, but also a catalyst to sorrow in our communities.

The proponents of gun ownership argue that having regulations and laws in place can help control the negative consequences that come with the use of these rifles,.

Although the Fire Arms Control Act 60 of 2000 and the Fire arms Control Regulations effective July 1, 2004, provide guidelines for ownership of guns, the danger embedded in their use is obnoxious.

Guns, irrespective of type, names, origin, appearance have one function – to kill life when people are shot at or shoot themselves.

To kill nature when animals and birds are killed in the name of sport. To kill the mind and ears of man due to excessive use.

A study published in the South African Medical Journal reported 1 066 murders related to guns between 2010 and 2016. These included 261 children, some 1 or 2 years old.

In Cape Town this year alone, we have had people killed by guns in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, Bonteheuwel, Manenberg, Delft, Marikana and Belhar, among others.

Why should innocent lives be lost because of one misused gun? Why should children become orphans because of guns? Why should we tempt to have another massacre like that of St. James Kenilworth in 1993?

Let us all think of dropping the guns and save lives. Sserwadda Alex Muizenberg