Briefing 1 of 2020: How South Africa can help silence the guns in Africa
When South Africa assumed chairing the African Union (AU) for 2020 last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa prioritised the AU’s Silencing the Guns agenda as a strategy to creating conducive environments for Africa’s development.
Our president’s championing of the Silencing the Guns agenda contrasts sharply with our national context as was tragically illustrated this past weekend when seven people were killed, and […]
Briefing 6 of 2019: Firearms amnesties – Four key factors for success
Yesterday’s announcement by the Gauteng Department of Health that gunshots have overtaken motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of non natural death in the province underscores how urgently action is needed to reduce the availability of guns in South Africa.
The chance of being shot is not random. For someone to be shot, there must be a gun. When […]
Briefing 5 of 2019: Gun control and violence – South Africa’s story over 25 years
Yesterday’s news that parliament’s police portfolio committee has approved a firearms amnesty – the fourth in South Africa’s history – is warmly welcomed.
It’s also perfectly timed, as today marks the first day of global disarmament week (24-30 October), which has been observed annually around the world since 1978.
To commemorate disarmament week, Gun Free South Africa has published a comprehensive […]
Briefing 4 of 2019: Women under the gun – Actions to protect women from gun violence
This past August – which is women’s month – 93 women were shot and killed, an average of three women a day.
To give a face, a name, a story to this number, to this horror, Gun Free South Africa collected information on just 21 women who were shot and killed this year to symbolise the number of women shot […]
Briefing 3 of 2019: Halving crime in SA needs effective gun control
Briefing 3 of 2019 was issued on 9 July, which has been declared by the UN as #GunDestructionDay, making it the official date for the destruction of small arms worldwide.
On 9 July, as on every other day, 23 people will be shot and killed across South Africa. The vast majority of these deaths will not be reported on as they […]
Briefing 2 of 2019: Western Cape mortuary surveillance shows gun deaths doubled in 6 years
Firearms Control Briefing 2 of 2019 summarises a comprehensive report Western Cape Injury Mortality Profile: 2010-2016, which tracks the pattern of fatal injuries in the Western Cape over seven years.
The report shows that gun deaths in the province have doubled between 2010 and 2016.
Although dramatic and higher than the national average, the pattern of steadily rising gun deaths in recent […]
Briefing 1 of 2019: How many guns are there in SA? The importance of stockpile management
The first Firearms Control Briefing for 2019 looks at the importance of managing weapons stockpiles as a guarantor of peace, security and development.It argues that stockpile management is broader than securing state-owned weapons and ammunition stocks. Instead it incorporates managing all weapons and ammunition stocks – state and civilian – through five distinct actions:
- Safe storage;
- Scheduled audits;
- Regular collections;
[…]
Briefing 6 of 2018: Licence renewals – A cornerstone of gun control
The sixth Briefing of 2018 coincides with a debate on proposed amendments to the law governing the renewal of firearm licences in Parliament on 6 November.
It locates firearm licence renewals within a global context in recognition that regular gun licence renewals are integral to public safety: Renewals ensure that licensed gun owners remain “fit and proper” for this responsibility and […]
Briefing 5 of 2018: Are guns effective for self-defence? Examining the evidence
This fifth Briefing of 2018 coincides with Disarmament Week, which is marked globally from 24 to 30 October. This year, the United Nations is highlighting the link between arms races, disarmament and the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.
It shows that in the context of rising crime and mistrust in the police, some South Africans are choosing to buy guns for […]
Briefing 4 of 2018: QUICK FACTS – Guns and violence in South Africa
Brief 4 summarises the latest statistics and data on guns and violence in South Africa, including on gun-related death, disability and the impact of the Firearms Control Act.
Briefing 3 of 2018: Constitutional Court unanimously rules regular gun licence renewal is constitutional – What next?
On 7 June 2018 the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that sections 24 and 28 of the Firearms Control Act (2000), under which gun owners must renew their firearm licences on a regular basis or forfeit guns for which licences have expired to the state, are constitutional.
In making its judgement, the ConCourt ruled that gun ownership is not a fundamental right […]
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, […]
