Any idiot can point a gun

2004-07-06 08:30

Chris Roper

At first, I found it amusing that the South African Gun Owners Association objected to the new gun control law because, to quote spokesperson Martin Hood, "It's unnecessary, it's complicated, the training standard is too high, it infringes on an individual's right to ownership and it gives the police excessive powers to search and seize items."

But now I find it disturbing. What sort of person objects to a high training standard, when we're talking about a weapon that can end someone's life? Not only that, but a weapon that might also conceivably save someone's life? Surely the more arduous the training, the better for all concerned?

To be frank, most of the people who have licences to operate cars shouldn't - the training there should be tougher as well. So it makes perfect sense that gun-owners should be subject to a tougher licensing procedure.

Sadly, the analogy between car owners and gun owners is all too apt. Like testosterone-addled drivers who have spoilers nailed to the boots of their Corsa lites, or who have lovingly painted racing stripes down the sides of their veedubs, some gun owners are in it for the equipment and the macho ethos. This isn't to say that the majority of gun owners aren't responsible people, anxious to protect their property and the lives of their loved ones (not necessarily in that order). But it's the cowboys out there that I want better controlled.

According to Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, at least 93 000 guns have been reported missing or stolen since 2000. And from January to May this year, registered gun owners reported 7 993 guns lost or stolen. In five months, almost 8 000 guns were mislaid? What sort of idiots owned these guns in the first place? These people NEED tougher licensing procedures.

Friends of mine who are gun-owners always say to me - when I casually mention that I think it should be harder to buy a gun - that it's not GUNS that kill people, it's people. I agree - but that's just one more reason why the gunslingers should know what they're doing. One of the provisions of the new licensing procedure is that you should undergo marksmanship tests. You mean you didn't have to do that before? Good grief.

Any idiot can point a gun and shoot - and frequently does. It should be the job of the new gun control laws to make sure that he knows what he's doing when he does decide to shoot. This applies to policemen as well, where in terms of the new law, it will be illegal for a police officer to shoot a fleeing suspect.

A friend of mine was lamenting the fact that you aren't allowed to shoot someone who is stealing your car. He actually thinks one is justified in shooting someone who is stealing from them! How did we get to the point where we think that the penalty for theft is death? It's insane. This man shouldn't be allowed to operate a microwave oven, let alone a gun.

Having said that, when I look at some of the reasons given by the Central Firearms Registry for refusing to issue gun licences to people (my favourite being the reason given to married women that their husbands can protect them), I can understand the frustration that gun owners go through.

I'm all for self-defence, but we need some perspective. And I'm hoping the tougher gun laws will provide that perspective. Sure, you should have the right, as the Americans put it, to bear arms. But then society has the right to demand that you know what the hell you're doing with your gun.

Chris Roper believes that the pen is mightier than the gun. But only if you use a pseudonym.

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