Black gun owners march in Pta
2004-09-28 13:11
Pretoria - Over 2 000 angry black gun owners converged on police headquarters in Pretoria on Tuesday in protest against what they called unjust firearm licensing laws.
The group, under the banner of the Black Gun Owners Association, toyi-toyied outside the Wachthuis building in Schoeman Street under close guard from police in riot gear.
The protesters hoped to present a memorandum of grievances to Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula.
The crowd carried placards reading "Nqakula give blacks their firearm licences", "Nqakula, who do you impose harsh penalties on blacks?" and "Stop making South Africa like Zimbabwe".
In their memorandum the protesters said the new law would force people to arm themselves with illegal guns to defend themselves and their families.
They claimed 99% of firearm licence applications were refused.
"Will the families be entitled to compensation when they (police) refuse a licence to a person who needs it and he or she is killed or injured?" the memorandum read.
The crowd claimed black people were not consulted when the new law was passed.
"Is it because these laws are aimed at disarming the black population, rendering us defenceless?"
Police estimated the size of the crowd at 2 200.
- SAPA