Amnesty aims at illegal guns

THE FIREARM amnesty has taken off and the police ministry believes the process was necessary given the rise in the use of guns in violent crimes.

Gun Free South Africa director Adèle Kirsten said timing was very important and would make the amnesty successful.

“Although it hasn’t taken place after 10 years and we could have had them… What is really much more important to guide when an amnesty happens is what is going on.

“For example, the 2010 amnesty was in preparation for the World Cup,” Kirsten said.

She said it had been a long time since it was done by an association they supported, especially at a time when guns were shown to be most used in violent crimes.

Kirsten said success would involve the number of weapons handed in, though it was not the only marker for achievement.

“Amnesty is an opportunity for police to communicate and raise awareness about the dangers of firearms,” she said.

Kirsten hopes the awareness will result in people rethinking their relationship with guns.

She did, however, express concern about the ability of the police to secure their firearms.

“Part of what the police have to do is to reassure the public and give reports regularly. That is the role we will play as a lobby organisation and afterwards say what weapons have been handed in,” she said.

Spokesperson for the police Lirandzu Themba said it had only been a couple of days into a six-month process and updates would be provided to the public on progress in due course.

She said according to Police Minister Bheki Cele the amnesty couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Statistics have shown that firearms are the instruments commonly used in the commission of violent crimes and the minister is sure the amnesty will contribute to the fight against the proliferation of firearms in communities,” Themba said.

The South African Gun Owners Association said yesterday that the amnesty was an effort to remove illegal firearms and they would not oppose it.