No logic in disarming law-abiding citizens

THERE is a long and contentious debate between Police Minister Bheki Cele and legal gun owners. Some important points need to be clarified if the impasse is to be resolved.

Few will argue that gun violence is a huge and growing problem and that our police service is incapable of dealing with it. I’m sure that everybody is aware that illegal firearms are the major factor in this situation and, unfortunately, none of the government’s initiatives to reduce the number in circulation has had any effect.

In fact, according to the SAPS’ statistics, the police “lost” 4 357 firearms over the past six years. In all probability, many of these were firearms handed over to the police in good faith, in terms of previous amnesties.

How do trained and experienced police officers “lose” a firearm? Are our police officers incompetent, or are they in cahoots with criminals? How many officers have been charged and dismissed as a result of them losing their own firearm or a firearm entrusted to their care for disposal? Over the same period, more than 9.5 million rounds of ammunition were also “lost”.

Presumably, most of these rounds will eventually be recovered – from the bodies of murder victims.

Logic would suggest that a large percentage of legal firearms, handed into the SAPS under the gun amnesty will in all likelihood increase the number of illegal firearms in circulation. Surely it is obvious to all that legally owned firearms are not the problem?

If we can agree that most deaths from shootings involve illegal firearms, why is the government so determined to disarm law-abiding citizens, and leave them at the mercy of violent, armed criminals?

As a government minister, Bheki Cele enjoys around-the-clock protection by a team of trained bodyguards, paid for by the taxpayers. One could argue that as a result, he and his fellow ministers either cannot understand the gravity of the average citizen’s plight or they are so divorced from the lives of their constituents, that they neither know nor care about the dangers we face daily.

The other possibility is so sinister that it does not bear thinking about.

MITCH LAUNSPACH | Mogale City