Hot-shot pupils to use air guns
2003-04-02 08:31
Cape Town - Air guns will replace deadly weapons such as .22 rifles for target shooting at schools, Education Minister Kader Asmal announced on Tuesday.
The department revised its policy on target shooting when it emerged that "hundreds" of dangerous weapons are stolen or unaccounted for at schools and other educational institutions.
The decision comes after discussions with the ministers of safety and security, sport and defence.
But, Asmal said he was sticking to his guns that the sport should become representative and accessable to disadvantaged communities.
"We're not saying all 7 000 high schools in the country should suddenly start offering target shooting, but there is certainly interest among black and coloured learners."
Last month, the department's plans to expand the sport to include previously disadvantaged schools came under fire from opposition parties, who said criminals would target schools where weapons were stored.
Reducing the number of firearms
Ownership of .22 firearms used for target shooting at about 260 schools would be transferred from the education department to defence.
This department also would consider a request to distribute "surplus weapons belonging to the South African National Defence Force" to schools.
Asmal said, however, the army was removing weapons and related property from school premises.
"The police want to audit all weapons at educational institutions as part of a campaign to reduce the number of firearms in the hands of private cititzens."
Asmal said China and India also used air guns for target shooting and had taken the discipline far in the Olympics. South Africa could consider making and exporting its own air guns to reduce costs.
Police suggested schools switch to air guns, which did not need to be licenced.
Asmal said pupils who wanted more-advanced training could join professional shooting clubs.