A call to government for fair treatment of legal gun owners

Firearm ownership has become a contentious issue in South Africa. Fighting on the frontline for the rights of gun owners in this country is Gun Owners South Africa. Pieter Dempsey spoke to the organisation’s senior management about the red tape and govern

What is Gun Owners South Africa’s (GOSA) role and purpose?

GOSA is a South African firearms rights organisation that does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, socio-economic circumstances, religion, age or any other identifiable criteria. We believe that firearm rights are civil rights and that firearm ownership should be a basic human right.

It’s a proven fact that a firearm is the most effective tool to protect our constitutionally enshrined right to safety of the person. It’s also a human right explicitly mentioned and protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

GOSA is the gun lobby in South Africa and fights for firearm ownership for all in South Africa. We are a membershipbased, non-profit company with over 55 000 members.

Why has gun ownership and licensing emerged as such a contentious issue in South Africa over the past few years?

It has been made very clear that our government wants to disarm its citizens. South Africa is known for its high crime rate. Unfortunately, government, through the services of the South African Police Service [SAPS], cannot ensure the safety of our citizens. SAPS simply does not have the manpower or sufficient resources to fulfil its mandate of protecting people. This has led to SAPS becoming reactive rather than proactive. Law-abiding citizens with legal firearms are able to protect themselves and their families in a life-threatening situation. When our police cannot protect us, we, the citizens, have to be able to protect ourselves.

‘ SA has strict gun laws, but the central firearms registry is inefficient’

Are the current licensing regulations, including the Firearms Control Act, fair and practical?

Unfortunately, the Firearms Control Act [FCA] and its regulations are poorly drafted and have led to numerous misunderstandings and uncertainties. In an effort to clear up some of these, the Minister of Police [Bheki Cele] has brought out many directives. We’re concerned, however, that these are contrary to what the FCA states. The FCA needs to be improved and these anomalies cleared up. But this can only be successful if role players, such as gun owners, accredited associations and others are allowed to take part in its redrafting and amending.

What are the greatest challenges faced by gun

popular types of firearms are those used for hunting and sport shooting, and pistols for self-defence. The fastestgrowing demographic of firearm owners in South Africa is women. More women than ever are buying firearms for self-defence and sport shooting.

What actions has GOSA taken to protect gun owners’ rights in South Africa?

GOSA has been mandated by its members to ensure that there is transparency in firearms legislation, and that gun owners are treated equally by ensuring there are reasonable and rational licensing requirements.

Trudi Kasselman is passionate about the healing properties of plants. For many years, it was her dream to grow herbs such as lavender and rosemary at her home on Kasselhoft estate, near Leeudoringstad in North West, distil the essential oils, and produce a range of herbal products. This finally started coming true in 2007 when she and her mother-in-law, Rina Kasselman, following much research and consultation, distilled essential oil from their first harvest of rosemary and lavender. From these beginnings, the enterprise has grown into a sustainable, profitable business.

Rina and her husband,