'Strip gun act of red tape': DA

2000-12-17 17:12

Johannesburg - The Democratic Party on Sunday called on Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete to strip the new Gun Control Act of administrative "red tape".

DA safety and security spokesperson Boy Geldenhuys said this would ensure that the clause, which deals with competency to own a firearm, could be properly implemented. Geldenhuys said the matter was urgent.

A recent Cape Town High Court judgment ruled that the new Act could make the SA Police Service (SAPS) liable for crimes committed by licensed gun owners with records of violent behaviour.

"This places a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the SAPS to ensure that licences only be granted to competent persons," Geldenhuys said.

He said the service's staff shortage and lack of required equipment, would prevent them from taking on this responsibility unless certain "unnecessary" provisions in the Act dealing with the number of firearms to which a person is entitled; the specific use of fire arms and the control of law abiding gun owners could be scrapped. - Sapa

- SAPA