Police destroy 80 611 guns
2010-01-15 22:07
Johannesburg - Gun control campaigners welcomed the destruction of 80 611 guns by the SA Police Service on Friday.
The weapons thrown into the furnace included guns recovered through the ongoing nationwide firearm amnesty, as well as obsolete police weapons and guns previously recovered by police from crime scenes.
IANSA (International Action Network on Small Arms) Africa said the destruction sent a positive signal to South Africans that the firearms amnesty would genuinely protect people's lives and safety, by permanently draining the pool of illegal weapons in society.
"It also sets a target for SADC member states. Since guns can be easily smuggled across borders, this means that similar gun destruction is needed across the sub-region, in order to promote public security."
"This is an important first step, but as the recent Angola football shooting showed, there are a lot of illegal guns in the Southern African region. Other countries in our sub-region should seek to match the target of guns melted today by South Africa, so that we can all enjoy a safer World Cup," said Joseph Dube, IANSA Africa co-ordinator.
Business Against Crime SA (Bacsa) also supported the destruction of firearms.
Bacsa chief executive officer Graham Wright urged gun-owners and citizens to be responsible and comply with the full requirements of the Firearms Control Act (2000), making use of the opportunity of the amnesty period where it applied.
"The surrender of any obsolete, redundant and/or surplus firearms would valuably contribute to the efforts of the police."
"Bacsa views the amnesty process as an important aspect within a broader, more holistic approach to crime and encourages all to do their part to stem the proliferation of illegal and stolen firearms particularly," Wright said.
- SAPA