'Gun laws are effective, but need enforcement by police'

The conviction of Julius Malema for the illegal possession of a firearm and illegally discharging it in public has been welcomed by a range of interest groups, some of whom believe it shows that South Africa’s gun laws are effective.

- Marizka Coetzer

CRITICS. Dr Theo de Jager, chair of SAAI, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and Ernst van Zyl from AfriForum.

(Picture: Gallo Images)

Gun Owners South Africa chair Paul Oxley said the Wits School of Governance report makes it clear that the Firearms Control Act is more than adequate in its current form.

“What is lacking is visible policing. Illegal firearms which are stolen or bought from the police at eight to 10 times the rate that they are stolen from civilians are a problem, particularly with our fluid borders and useless policing,” he said.

Oxley said research shows training doesn’t make people safer, although he personally believes everyone should receive gun training.

“Firearms are actually very simple to operate if you have half a brain. They pretty much only have one control and the trigger, whereas a car is far more complex,” he said.