Police urged to act on 2 million illegal firearms

Report: 70 muders a day on average

- HOPE NTANZI [e-mail]

MILLIONS of illegal firearms are circulating in South Africa.

This is in addition to the estimated 2.7 million legal firearms owned by private citizens, according to studies by Gun Free South Africa (GFSA).

The high number of illegal firearms contributes to South Africa's high rate of gun violence, where firearms are the weapon of choice in many crimes, including murder.

In the first six months of the most recent reported period, over 12 700 people were killed, averaging 70 murders per day.

The illegal firearms trade is a serious concern, with some estimates suggesting there is one illegal firearm for every legal firearm. Civil society groups are calling for amendments to the Firearms Control Act to address the issue.

Now Rise Mzansi has warned that an estimated the millions of illegal firearms circulating in South Africa are posing a serious threat to public safety.

The party has criticised the South African Police Service (SAPS) for failing to track the specific makes of firearms used in crimes properly, a shortfall it says undermines crime analysis and detection efforts.