Nqakula speaks on 'gun control'
2004-06-29 22:38
Cape Town - "Stricter gun-control measures do not undermine the rights of people to own firearms," says Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula.
Firearm owners will seek a court interdict on Wednesday to stop the government from enacting legislation to control the ownership of guns.
SA Gun-owners Association spokesperson Martin Hood said on Friday the Firearms Control Act was a threat to the country's security and its citizens.
"They protect the right of people to be safe from firearms abuse and every peace-loving and law-abiding citizen should support such measures," Nqakula said in the national council of provinces on Tuesday.
Touching on the Firearms Control Act that is due to come into effect on Thursday, Nqakula said it was a fallacy to think that registered gun owners committed no infraction regarding gun control.
"Many of the illegal firearms in circulation were owned legally once upon a time."
From January to May this year, registered gun owners reported 7 993 guns lost or stolen, he said.
- SAPA