What is a Gun Free Zone (GFZ)?

• A GFZ is a space in which guns are not welcome or allowed, with the aim of:
  • Reducing the escalation of violence.
  • Reducing the risk of gun death and injury.
  • Providing a legal framework for taking action if someone wants to come into a GFZ.
• GFZs are voluntarily declared spaces, and range from:
  • GFZ’s by trust, as status is not enforced.
  • Enforced GFZ by declarations, searches and/ or safes.

Steps to Declaring a Gun Free Zone

Over the past 15 years, GFSA has developed a 5-step model to making spaces GFZs.

GFSA’s experience, which is backed by research, shows that the success of declaring a space a GFZ rests firmly on the buy-in and commitment of that space’s stakeholders to building a safe environment. It is not enough to just put up GFZ signs.

The 5 steps to declaring a GFZ are:

• 1. Establish the Vision.
  2. Develop the Policy.
  3. Prepare for Implementation.
  4. Implement policy.
  5. Maintain and Monitor

DOWNLOADS

Information Guides

5 steps to declaring a Gun Free Zone

UN Guidelines – How to establish and maintain Gun Free Zones

Gun Free Zones vs Firearm Free Zones – what’s the difference?

FFZ: Guide to making your school a Firearm Free Zone

Handbook: Teachers’ Safety and Security in South African Schools

Application Forms

SAPS: Application to declare premises a Firearm Free Zone – SAPS517F

SAPS: Instructions for application to declare your space a Firearm Free Zone – SAPS517F