Zuko Komisa

With the increase rise in crime in the country what do you need to know about owning a firearm?
In this week’s feature of Talking Legal Matters on Point of View, Legal expert, Nthabiseng Dubazana discusses self defence and laws around owning a firearm.
Listen to the full conversation here:
According to Gun Free South Africa, the latest crime stats presented by SAPS to parliament show that gun-related crime has significantly increased e.g. gun-related murders have increased a staggering 35% from 23 people shot and killed a day in 2021-22 to 31 people a day in 2022-2023.
Dubuza shared how in South Africa, it is lawful to own a gun, even though it is not a constitutional right and that there are strict gun control regulations not only make it possible to maintain an up-to-date record of who is licensed to own a handgun and who does not, but they also control the procedure for acquiring a firearm and ammunition.
She spoke about how in cases where guns are used for self-defense, the merits of each case are examined.
“The merits of each case will differ, according to what the definition of what imminent danger is. There is self defense and there is also private defense even though there’s no definition in law.”
According to the National Association of Responsible Firearm Owners (NARFO) Section 13 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 any natural person who feels the need to get a firearm for self-defense must do so in accordance with the Act and must provide just one license for this purpose.
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