[allAfrica.com] [allAfrica.com_Top_Headlines] Firearms Control Act Effective From Today BuaNews (Pretoria) NEWS July 1, 2004 Posted to the web July 1, 2004 By Richard Mantu Pretoria The Firearms Control Act comes into effect today, and from now on, people seeking firearm licenses will have to undergo a competency test, before being granted a firearm license. The Pretoria High Court yesterday dismissed the application by seven organisations to prevent the Act from being implemented. Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula yesterday hailed the Pretoria High Court decision. The applicants, the SA Gun Owners Association and six other bodies representing hunters, shooting ranges and gun collectors amongst others, argued that implementing the Act fully would result in numerous difficulties or chaos in respect of hunters, gun dealers and collectors, firearm owners and the security industry. However, the court dismissed the application with costs after hearing arguments from all parties. Minister Nqakula commented after the court decision that it was clear in the period preceding the application that incorrect information was being spread in an attempt to derail the implementation process decided upon by Parliament. He said the decision made it clear and easier for the SA Police Service and the Ministry of Safety and Security to implement the Act today. "This country is sick and tired of the negative effects of serious violent crimes committed with firearms and Government, through this legislation, adopted a constructive approach to address this problem," said minister Nqakula. "We appeal to everyone in the country to participate in the implementation as far as they are concerned," he said. In terms of the Act, every person who applies for a firearm licence will have to obtain a competency certificate. The person must first complete a basic training course at an accredited training institution, after which the SAPS will complete a background assessment and issue a competency certificate to a successful applicant. Police also moved swiftly this week to allay fears of security companies that the new Act was not meant to disarm them, resulting in most guards patrolling without protection. SAPS Divisional Commissioner Wilson Makhubela said security firms would be allowed to issue firearms to their employees as long as their present licenses were valid. Commissioner Makhubela said all institutions that owned firearms, including security service providers, would be urged to renew their firearm licences from 1 July 2006 to 31 December 2006 as long as firearms were licensed under the Arms and Ammunition Act of 2000. He added that until December 2006, security firms might proceed to issue firearms to guards without competency certificates. Commissioner Makhubela said the SAPS had prepared all aspects relating to licensing of firearms, such as the structure for Designated Firearms Officers, the appointment and training of theses officers and equipping the offices with technology and other resources. In terms of the law, all licences, permits and authorisations issued to possess a firearm in terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act that are valid on 30 June 2004 will remain so until they are renewed in terms of the Firearms Control Act of 2000 unless they are withdrawn for any legal reason. All applications for a firearm licence and all appeals received up to 30 June 2004 in terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act will still be processed. Persons who were in possession of more that 200 rounds of ammunition yesterday would not have been prosecuted, as this limitation was only applicable to firearms licensed in terms of the Firearms Control Act. However, this provision does not apply to firearms that are licensed in terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act. Commissioner Makhubela said the SAPS would allow all firearm owners to renew their licenses issued under the Arms and Ammunition Act by the end of 2004. Individuals will thus have to renew their current firearm licences according to a schedule, which is linked to a person's month of birth as indicated below. For example, people born between 1 January and 31 December, have to renew their licences between the same period next year. Those born between 1 April and 30 June, have to do so between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2006. People born on 1 July to 30 September will have to do so between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007. Those born between 1 October and 31 December should renew their licences between 1 January and 31 December 2008. Commissioner Makhubela expressed confidence that the police service was capacitated to successfully implement the Act.   ===============================================================================  Copyright © 2004 BuaNews. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ===============================================================================