Briefing 2 of 2018: Cape Town proves strong gun laws save lives, lax enforcement kills, illegally supplied guns more dangerous in short term
Over the years Gun Free SA has raised concern that poor enforcement of the Firearms Control Act (2000) has led to thousands of people being shot and killed. Published research from South Africa now proves this link, showing that strong gun laws save lives, lax enforcement kills, and that illegally channelled guns kill more people in the short term.
In sum, […]
Briefing 1 of 2018: Police killings – Protecting members and their families
In mid March Constable Buti shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself following an argument; the couple’s 6-year old child witnessed the shootings. A week earlier Sergeant Brooks shot and killed his girlfriend, her mother and himself during a hostage incident. While parliament and police unions have reacted with shock, the tragic reality is that police […]
Know the law, use the law, save a woman’s or child’s life this 16 Days of Activism
Three women and one child will be shot and killed today. By the end of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, 48 women and 16 children will have been shot dead; while a further 192 women and 64 children will have been shot and injured, possibly permanently disabled. These deaths are preventable: The removal […]
Response to loss of 2000 guns by police in 4 years
The Minister of Police has admitted that 2027 guns were stolen from police armouries in the last four years. These guns are now part of the illegal pool of guns, and outside of any control. There are two ways to get rid of illegal guns: Mop up illegal guns and close the tap leaking guns into the illegal pool.
Response to 2016-17 crime stats: Guns fueling violent crime – 18 to 21 murders committed with guns every day
Poor enforcement of gun control laws is leaking guns from the legal to the illegal pool and driving South Africa’s year-on-year increase in violent crime. STATEMENT: Guns fuel crime: 18 to 21 murders committed with guns every day Gun Free South Africa’s response to 2016-17 crime stats
World Mental Health Day: Five things you need to know about guns and suicide
Guns are the most lethal suicide method. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 17% of all suicides are committed using a firearm, these types of suicide attempts are almost always fatal and also the most preventable. STATEMENT: World Mental Health Day – Five things you need to know about guns and suicide
